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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 8 



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UN8TED STATES OF AMERICA. 



SKETCHES 



LIFE AND TIMES OF 



ELD. ARIEL KENDRICK 



BEING A SHORT ACCOUNT OF HIS BIRTH, CONVERSION, 



OCCURRING UNDER HIS NOTICE. 



WRITTEN BY HIMSELF, 



LUDLOW, VT.: 

PRINTED BY BARTON & TOWER ..."GENIUS' 



OFFICE. 



1847. 



■BAUDS' 



INTRODUCTION. 



There are but few men of ordinary genius, having 
escaped the arrows of death, until they are pressed 
with a w eight of years, but what can, if they have 
been but moderately wise observers of men, principles 
and events, gather up and commit to paper, things 
which may be interesting to those disposed to read such 
a production. 

The writer is now advanced in life, and according 
to nature's sovereign course, must soon pronounce his 
valedictory, and bid all his Christian friends a long 
farewell, wishing them grace, mercy, and peace. 

He does not claim for himself either rare intellect 
or piety ; nor yet that his life has been marked by very 
singular events : but, nevertheless, believing that a 
considerable number of his acquaintances will feel 
quite willing that he should live with them in his historj^, 
after the hand that writes is palsied in death, he is 
disposed to present to them this little work. 



LIFE AND TIMES . 

OF 

ELD, ARIEL KENDRICK, 

I was born in the town of Coventry, Conn., in the 
year 1772. My father, Ebenezer Kenclrick, married 
Anne Davenport. I was the third of eight children. 
My parents lived in the parish of the Rev. D. D. Hun- 
tington, a man of great learning and splendid talents. 
He held his standing in the orthodox church from his 
youth until his death, which was at an advanced age. 
After his decease, a treatise in favor of Universalism 
was found in his study, with an order in his will for its 
publication which was, carried into effect. But his 
people were so much astonished and disgusted with this 
development of his hypocrasy, that his work did not 
meet a very cordial reception. Dr. Strong, of Hart- 
ford, reviewed the posthumous volume, and doubtless 
unhinged his fallacious arguments. 

When I was at the age of five years, my father, 
grandfather, Nathaniel Kenclrick, and Lemuel Dowe, 
rated to Hanover, 1ST. H., a place at that time 
little else than a howling wilderness, containing wild 
beasts, double the number of both the inhabitants and 
domestic animals together, which were a great annoy- 
ance. 

Our company, for a season, all occupied one log 
cabin. Most of the buildings were constructed with 
logs ; and to this day, when I see such a house, it calls 



4 LIFE AOT) TIMES OP 

up an association of thoughts and feelings, pleasant 
and affecting. The fire places were generally from six 
to eight feet wide ; and as the dwellings were cold and 
clothing scarce, the wood which was plenty, was used 
unsparingly. In the winter, the last thing before 
retiring to rest, was to fill the chimney and make a 
lordly fire, to drive back the cold and keep them 
comfortable during the night. Should it be asked if 
there was not danger of the houses taking fire and 
consuming the unconscious inmates, I answer there 
was ; but as persons suffering with the heat are not 
afraid of the cold, so those in danger of freezing do 
not fear the heat. 

About one year after our emigration to Hanover, 
my grandfather met with a painfully shocking death. 
On a very windy night he was in great fear that a tree 
standing near should fall upon the house, and they 
should perish in the ruins. He therefore, the next 
morning, proposed that it be cut down. Accordingly, 
himself, my father, and Mr. Dowe took it in hand. 
When the tree was about falling, he ran to the house 
to see that all were out ; just before he reached the 
door, he was admonished in a voice of earnestness, 
that the tree was actually falling that way ; but such 
was his anxiety for the inmates, that he rushed into 
the house, took a look into each room, and returned — 
but, to be crushed beneath the falling hemlock ! He 
survived an hour after the fatal disaster ; and as his 
head was not injured, his reason remained unimpaired. 
He now saw that his relation to his beloved wife and 
children and time must soon be dissolved forever. He 
said that God knew which of them all was best pre- 
pared for the solemn summons, and that though his 
mind was not as clear as he could wish, yet he was 
sustained by a hope as an anchor to the soul, reaching 
within the vale whither Christ had £one. A neighbor 



ARIEL KENDRICK. O 

went on horseback, with great speed after our minister, 
Rev. Eden Burroughs, that he might smooth his short 
passage to the grave, and mingle his tears with the 
afflicted, and impart Christian consolation. But death 
outrode the minister, and finished the work before he 
arrived. Perceiving that his pulse grew faint, he asked 
my father to engage in prayer, which he cheerfully 
did ; but in a few moments all was over, and a large 
circle of friends was left to mourn his loss. The good 
man had recently been chosen a ruling elder in Mr. 
B.'s church. His death was severely felt throughout 
this and adjacent towns, and very much on account of 
the manner of it, and the small number of inhabitants 
at that early day. 

Mr. B. was the first settled minister in Hanover, 
and at that time he and his church held with the Pres- 
byterian mode of government ; but within a few years 
they changed to the Congregational mode, the cause 
of which I will briefly state. 

In about eight years after Mr. B.'s settlement there 
was a remarkable religious excitement among his people 
winch commenced early in tne winter and continued 
with great power until spring. The work, I should 
think, was attended with much animal excitement ; 
there were great outcryings both in going to and in 
meetings ; all mirth and recreation among the youth 
were struck as with palsy. 

The schools were deeply affected. In that of which 
I was a member, the intermissions were, changed to 
prayer-meetings. If two or more were out together 
in school hours, they w T ould have a season in prayer. 
Any person unconcerned at that time, for his soul's 
salvation, wa^s regarded almost with terror. 

Many of the neighboring ministers visited the town, 
and aided Mr. B., whose labors were very arduous. 
Among them was the Rev. Jacob Wood, a late graduate 
1* 



% LIFE AND TIMES OP 

from Dartmouth College. He was a most terific 
preacher. He appeared as if fresh from Mt. Sinai, 
laden with thunder and lightning, with which to alarm 
his hearers ! He was looked up to with the greatest 
reverence and respect. They thought him clothed in 
the panoply of heaven, and that he could almost cause 
the blind to see and the lame to walk! But some 
experienced Christians feared he was too much like the 
locusts spoken of in the Apocalypse, which stung and 
tormented men five months but had no balm to heal the 
wound. Some thought he knew more, about Sinpi 
than Calvary, where the law was magnified and made 
honorable* A few years after Mr. W. became pastor 
of the church in Newbury, Vt., where he died in great 
darkness of mind, to the surprise and grief of those 
who had been edified and blest, as they thought by his 
ministry. 

I saw a notice of his death, in which the writer 
observed, that if we might judge of a man's future 
state by his life, rather than by the state of his mind 
in the hour of death, he must think that Mr. Y\ r ood was 
associated with the spirits of just men made perfect. 

But to return to the reformation. Many sought, and 
too easily perhaps, obtained admittance into the door 
of the church ; but within a year, a large number sadly 
evinced that the work of grace in their hearts was 
superficial. They returned to their sports, carousing 
and dancing, to the grief of the most pious part of 
the church, and their minister. Disciplinary labors 
were commenced, and offenders, who in the main were 
young people, were brought before the church. But 
part of the old and part of the new members justified 
them. It was said that abstinence from mirthful 
recreation could not be expected of those who were in 
the heat and vigor of youth. They contended that 
':he frost smitten aspect of December might as well be 



AEIEL KENDRICK. 7 

brought over the smiling beauties and greenness of 
May. There was a man of influence in the church, 
who acted the part of an ecclesiastical attorney, in 
behalf of offenders. If they were censured by the 
majority of the church, he would advise them to carry 
their cause to the Presbytery. The aggrieved part of 
the church contended that the Gospel knew of but one 
rule of life for aged and young, namely, that they 
should take up their cross daily and follow Christ in 
all sobriety, watchfulness and prayer. 

The Presbytery decided in many instances, in favor 
of the censured^ 

At length the afflicted pastor and a large minority 
of the church, feeling that the law of God and them- 
selves were borne down by ecclesiastical power, came 
to the conclusion that it was . their duty to withdraw 
from the Presbytery, as an unsound body ; and also, 
from that part of the church which sympathized with 
it. 

As solemn as was the consideration, they separated, 
to meet with them no more as an ecclesiastical body. 

Mr. B. and his brethren resigned their meeting 
house, together with all the sacramental furniture ; and 
held their services of divine worship, in dwelling hou- 
ses and barns, until they could prepare a tabernacle 
for that sacred purpose. From this time, Mr. B. and 
his church adopted the Congregational principles of 
church government. 

The party which held with the Presbytery, worship- 
ped in the house vacated by Mr. B., employing other 
preachers, temporarily, as they could obtain them ; 
among whom was the Rev. Sylvan us Ripley, professor 
in Dartmouth College, and father of the late General 
Ripley, who distinguished himself in the last war. — 
But his settlement was prevented by a sudden and 
afflictive providence. Having been invited to become 



8 LIFE AND TIMES OE 

their pastor, a certain Sabbath was fixed upon to give 
his answer. But at the close of the services, he said 
to the people, that as it was extremely cold, and the 
congregation suffering, he thought it best to defer 
giving his answer until another Sabbath. He seated 
himself in a sleigh, with several students, and, as the 
wind was strong in their faces, Mr. R. turned his back 
towards it. But while passing a mill-yard, the road 
being very much crowded, the sleigh, when in full 
speed, struck a log, and Mr. R. was precipitated from 
his seat, his head striking with force against the sharp 
end of a log ! He was taken up senseless ; his skull 
was badly fractured, and about midnight his spirit 
departed ! Thus from his Sabbath duties he was 
returned to his family, not in health, as he left them, 
but a lifeless corpse ! 

This was a very sudden transition from the desk to 
the grave ; from time to eternity ! And yet what 
minister knows as he enters the pulpit, that his race 
will be more protracted ! 

During the time Mr. R. supplied the pulpit, I 
remember that he was desired to give a sermon in 
vindication of infant baptism. To this he consented, 
and the day was set for the desired effort. At the 
appointed time, I went to hear the sermon, though Mr. 
B. was my minister ; but instead of Mr. R., Rev. Mr. 
Hutchinson of Pomfret, Yt., an aged man, was 
present, and entered upon the subject with great spirit. 
In the course of his sermon, he stated that a certain 
author said, that " the same spirit which drove the 
herd of swine into the sea, drove the Baptists into the 
water, and that they were hurried on by the devil until 
the rite was performed ! " 

How it happened that Mr. H. discussed this subject 
instead of Ms, R. I never learned ; but it is clear to 
me, that if the latter gentleman had done the work, 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 9 

he would have, at least, treated the Baptists with good 
manners. There were, I think but few of the Congre- 
gationalists at that day, who would have been pleased 
with such harsh language ; and at this clay I think the 
number is still smaller. It is a cheering consideration 
that the friends of Christ, of different denominations, 
are disposed to treat each other with more Christian 
kindness ; and may the spirit of charity still increase 
ten fold. 

After Mr. R.'s death, the Rev. Samuel Collins, who 
was first settled inSandown, N. H., where he remained 
a number of years, became pastor of this church. 

But the most unkind feeling was exercised towards 
Mr. B. and his brethren, both by the other part of the 
church and the Presbytery. I have no language at 
my command, which would give any adequate idea of 
the bitterness shown them. Numbers of the young 
converts to whom Mr, B. had recently given the hand 
of fellowship, hated him supremely, and despised those 
who esteemed and treated him as a servant of Christ, 
as he doubtless was. His enemies accused him of 
being schismatic, sedicious, superstitious, over-much 
righteous, fanatical, &c. ; and- all this because he 
unwaveringly maintained that professed Christians, 
young and old, ought to maintain a constant walk with 
God ; and that churches ought faithfully to execute 
the laws of His house, Not long after, Mr. B. with- 
drew from the Presbytery ; they convened and excom- 
municated him. Whether it was of the severer or 
milder kind, I do not know, but I think they called it 
a "lesser excommunication." 

But whatever it was, and whatever they might intend 
by it, it certainly was a powerless thing to him ; for he 
held on his way, increasing in favor with God and 
men. He was a pious Christian ; a warm hearted 
preacher of the gospel ; and full of faith and good 



10 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

works. But his path was beset with thorns from his 
youth up. He had five children, two sons and three 
daughters, which latter, he buried, 

"In less time than Sylva once fills her horn." 

One of his sons, a virtuous youth, soon followed ; 
and the remaining one, Stephen Burroughs, of villain- 
ous notoriety, was so wholly bent on wickedness, that 
he caused his parents as great a measure of grief as 
Absolom did his father. 

These things, together with the trials that befel him 
in his ministerial labors, ma*de him a man of sorrow 
and grief. But verily " there was an end, and his 
expectation was not cut off. ' ' Years have gone by since 
he found himself, in the bosom of an ocean where his 
barque will never be tossed by storm or tempest. 

During the whole term of Mr. Collins' ministry in 
Hanover, he and his people seemed unblest of Gocl. He 
became exceedingly poor, and apparently almost for- 
saken, both of man and Gocl. But in his extremity, 
he was provided for ; Gen. Crafts, of Craftsbury, Vt., 
one of Mr. Collins' former parishioners at Sandown, 
and a man of wealth, hearing of his situation, invited 
him to labor in C, and here, cheered by the kindness, 
of 1he worthy General, he finished his work and 
departed to his reward.* 

At the time of the reformation in Hanover, there 
was not, to my knowledge, a Baptist in town ; nor had 
there ever been a sermon preached by a Baptist minis- 
ter. But, notwithstanding this, a Miss Susanna Dowe, 
doubtless truly converted, learned by reading the 
scriptures, that she must be " buried with Christ in 
baptism." She therefore applied to Eld. Baldwin, of 
Canaan, afterward Br. B,, of Boston, to administer the 
ordinance ; and she subsequently gave abundant 
dence that she had " risen to newness of life," 



ARIEL KBNDRICK. 11 

The baptism of this young lady, considering the 
attending circumstances led the people to examine the 
subject. It was known that her situation was not cal- 
culated to produce such a result ; she had never heard 
these sentiments vindicated, but the opposite had 
invariably lie en taught, both by her parents and minis- 
ter ; she had never witnessed anything more than the 
sprinkling of infants. How came she then with so 
novel sentiments and practice ? Did she find them in 
the word of God ? This case led many to search the 
scriptures themselves, to learn the will of Christ, con- 
cerning this sacred ordinance. Soon another followed, 
on which occasion Eld. Baldwin preached : and in a few 
years, quite a number of Rev. Mr. Burroughs' people 
embraced Baptist sentiments, and a church was consti- 
tuted. This was indeed grievous to the good man. 

The previous storm had scarcely subsided, ere his 
brethren caught a fever, that naught but Jordan's 
waters could assuage, Tney still held Mr. B, in high 
estimation, believing that he had contended valiantly 
for the truth, and that his separation from the Presby- 
tery, was approved by the great Head of the church. 
But they believed that the path of duty led them far- 
ther onward, aud of course they left their minister 
behind. Two of their number became preachers, 
Abel and Isaac Briclgman. 

Like Peter and John, they were unlettered men ; 
but they possessed the same spirit, preached the 
same gospel, and looked for the same glorious reward. 
The latter preached half of the time for a number 
of years with good success, to the church in Lime, N. 
H. ; but he was cut off in the midst of a useful career, 
by an incurable fever. He possessed a strong mind ; 
was^well versed in the doctrines of the Bible, and was 
blessed with the unction of the Holy Spirit. I once 
asked him what the apostle meant by saying, that 



12 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

" To the pure all things are pure." He immediately 
replied, that all pure things were so to the pure." 

The former became pastor of the newly constituted 
church, but his labors and life were cut short, and he 
was succeeded by Rev. Jesse Coburn, a man like 
David after God's own heart, ordinary talent, but 
through grace it was so faithfully applied to his master's 
service, that he was eminently useful in his sphere. 
Such was his meekness, tenderness of heart, and spir- 
ituality, that but few preachers took stronger hold 
upon the hearts and consciences of their hearers. 
His care of the church was like that of a kind parent 
over his children. It was by his untiring effort that 
the church reared a house of worship. A considerable 
part of the work he did himself: even the pulpit, so 
soon vacated by his early death, was devised and built 
by his hands ! In the meridean of his life, death 
- overtook and cut him down, to the great grief, not only 
of his family and church, but to all in the circle of 
his acquaintances. 

After his disease, the church was supplied by dif- 
ferent ministers for short periods of time, until the 
settlement of their present pastor, Rev. Jonathan 
Green, respecting whom, delicacy forbids my saying 
much. He stated to me, not long since, that "It 
takes a man his life time to prove himself a Christian." 
This I suspect is true, not excepting even ministers. 
I may simply add that the growing attachment between 
him and his people, bids fare to render his labors 
abundantly useful. 

This church in its infancy was quite feeble, as might 
be expected ; and though situated so near a literary 
institution, Dartmouth College, its first pastors were 
quite illiterate men. Nor was the church very liberal 
in supporting its pastors. I once heard Mr. Bridgman 
preach ; his apparel was very poor, almost to rags. I 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 13 

expressed to one of my brethren, my surprise at the 
extreme meanness of his dress ; he replied, " I never 
heard our minister preach better than when the rags 
flew merrily ! " But as unpleasant as it must have 
been, I think it far less to be regretted, than to see a 
professed minister of the meek and lowly Savior, ride 
to the house of God in a carriage of four, attended by 
a slave ! And to the praise of this church, they have 
for many years been very liberal to their pastors, and 
the benevolent enterprises of the day. 

I now with much reluctance, proceed to give some 
account of myself. Almost from the cradle, I was the 
subject of serious impressions. I engaged in juvenile 
sports with hesitation, on account of solemn thoughts 
of God, death, and eternity. I knew that I was a 
sinner, and that I was in the hand of God, as " The 
clay is in the hand of the potter," and the thought 
greatly affected me. The doctrine taught in the ninth 
chapter of Romans, was most unwelcome. 

At that time, I was more circumspect in my conduct 
than" were my elder brothers, and my mates generally ; 
indeed I became quite a hypocritical pharisee. thinking 
myself much better than others. But with all my 
external sanctity, there was a gnawing worm within, 
corroding all my happiness. At times, the certain 
prospect of annihilation, or an exchange of situations 
with any creature not accountable for its conduct, 
would have greatly rejoiced me. 

When the reformation, of which I have spoken, 
commenced, I was nine years of age ; and during that 
eventful season, I was no more affected than I had 
been, perhaps less. But as all seemed to be striving 
for heaven, I was set upon being among them. I 
assumed to be more concerned than I was, and in this 
respect, sinned against God. But at the close of the 
gracious work, my convictions increased and my bur- 
2 



14 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

den became more intolerable. I plead for mercy, 
according to my best ability, in which I thought myself 
not very deficient ; still my mind was " like the 
troubled sea, that cannot rest, but continually casts up 
mire and dirt." 

I thought I was quite honest in my entreaties for 
mercy and an interest in Christ; and at times I would 
fret against God, because he was so slow hi doing his 
part, when I had so punctually done mine. I read — 
4 'Ask and ye shall receive;" and I thought I had 
asked sincerely many times, and with such views I was 
led to blame God for not fulfilling his promise, 

But my murmuring was forced to yield to the con- 
viction, that all was not as well clone as I had fondly 
imagined. I therefore summoned up all my energies, 
for the purpose of amending and improving my servi- 
ces, that 1 might please God, and receive the gift of 
salvation. But while thus looking for light, behold 
darkness shrouded me. 

About this time a very pungent sermon from Mr. B. 
powerfully affected me. Under a weight that almost 
pressed me into the earth, I retired and attempted to 
pray. I had not proceeded far before a scene came 
over me, which language and capacity would fail me to 
describe. The truth was most forcibly impressed upon 
me, that God was a spirit, filling heaven and earth; 
that to his piercing eyes my wicked heart was transpa- 
rent ; that He noticed me as particularly as if He and 
myself were the only moral intelligences of the Uni- 
verse. 

For the first time, the desperate and entire wicked- 
ness of my heart rose to my view ; my prayers seemed 
like an extended cloud of darkness ; and the following 
passages of scripture came upon me with irresistable 
power : "I bear them record, that they have a zeal 
for God, but not according to knowledge." "For 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 15 

they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going 
about to establish their own righteousness, have not 
submited themselves unto the righteousness of God." 
In these few moments more knowledge of God, His 
law, the evil nature of sin, and the extreme enmity 
of my heart ; was communicated to me, than ever 
before in my whole life. My mouth was stopped. I 
could not, durst not, speak another word in prayer. 

Much was said during the reformation of its being 
a sealing time ; that some were sealed for salvation, 
and others for damnation. I now thought my damna- 
tion was sealed ; yea, my imagination ran so high as to 
picture my sentence written in capital letters. 

This scene so terrified me, that I dare not attempt 
to pray for weeks, and when I again ventured to retire 
my fear was so great, that I took a lad with me, now 
Dr. Kendrick, of Madison University. He was then 
very young, and interrupting me, he asked, " Ariel, 
does God hear us ? " 

In this season of prayer, I was neither exercised 
with terror, nor did it afford me any comfort, yet I 
continued my practice of secret prayer. 

A short time afterward I was again overwhelmed 
with fear : my sins appeared like mountains : God's 
anger was terrible, and hell seemed to be my portion ! 
I prostrated myself and cried out, " Lord, who am I ? 
What am I ? Whither am I going ? " Soon these 
distressing exercises of my mind were succeeded by a 
peaceful calm, and a ray of light burst forth into my 
most wretched soul ! It began to seem possible for 
me to be saved, and the thought was more cheering to 
me than ten thousands of gold and silver could be to 
the miser ! These words were full of power and 
preciousness. " This is a faithful saying, and worthy 
of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the 
worldto save sinners, of whom I am chief." Subse- 



16 LIFE) AND TlMUS OF 

quent to this, my feelings were strange, and my exer- 
cises peculiar ; there was a mixture of joy and sorrow, 
hope and fear. It was with me like the day spoken 
of by the prophet, " Neither clear nor dark." But 
nevertheless as dim as was my light, I united with 
Mr. Burroughs' church, with which I remained a 
number of years. 

In process of time, I met with a treatise on baptism, 
by the venerable Dr. Shepard, of Brentwood, which 
went far towards convincing me that my infant sprink- 
ling, received from the hand of Dr. Huntington, of 
Coventry, ought to be washed away in some Jordan. 
This led me to search the scriptures, with reference to 
the subject, and I became fully satisfied that believers 
in Christ were the only qualified subjects, and immer- 
sion the only scriptural mode of Baptism. And thus 
it has appeared to me ever since. Others may believe 
that infants are suitable subjects, and sprinkling the 
scriptural mpde of baptism ; but, if to believe on 
limited evidence is praiseworthy, it appears to me that 
they merit a large share of praise ! 

About the time of the change in my views, I met 
with Dr. Burroughs and Dr. Burton, who warmly 
remonstrated with me for embracing so erroneous 
sentiments. I requested them to show me a single 
instance in the New Testament, where a person, infant 
or adult, received baptism from a basin or vessel. 

Several weeks afterward, Mrs. Burroughs named 
the following text : " He riseth from supper, and laid 
aside his garments, and took a towel and girded him- 
self. After that, he poureth water into a bason, and 
began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them 
with the towel wherewith he was girded." 

I inquired, do you call that baptism ? She answered 
yes. I then said, that the order was to imitate Christ ; 
why therefore do you apply water to the face? She 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 17 

replied that she thought it not essential whether it was 
applied to the face or feet. I answered that if all go 
as near the divine rule, as the head is to the feet, it 
would be doing pretty well ! 

But while I must act according to my own views 
and convictions of duty, I am the last to judge others 
harshly. I would submit them in these and all other 
matters, to their consciences, to their Bible, and to 
God. I was baptized by Rev. John Drew? about nine 
o'clock, on a winter evening. It was a season of great 
consolation, and I went on my way with a large meas- 
ure of joy. 

At that clay, the Baptists were a small people, not 
much respected ; and doubtless many supposed they 
never would be. Their preachers were unlearned ; 
their baptism very unpopular ; and their singing did 
not charm, being performed by the congregation. 

They could sing better in their hearts than with 
their voices, and of course they pleased God better 
than men. An opposing influence was cast against 
them, though they never suffered violent persecution 
in that region ; from that they were mercifully exempt- 
ed. But the current of opposition was so strong, that 
all public buildings were closed against them, and they 
were obliged to hold their meetings for divine worship 
in dwelling houses, school houses, and even barns. I 
recollect that when I was a youth, and attending 
Moor's charity school, at Dartmouth College, Mr. 
Baldvfin was invited to give an evening lecture at the 
College plains. A Baptist brother, Mr. Fenton, en- 
deavored to obtain a public room for the occasion, but 
without success. As a last resort, therefore, he opened 
his own, though a small dwelling house, and they were 
favored with a good attendance, notwithstanding the 
efforts made to prevent it. Prof. Smith, who preached 
at the college chapel, appointed a lecture or conference 
2* 



18 LIFE AND TIMES Of 

the same evening ; a thing which I was told he had 
never done before. Yet the students pressed in to 
hear Mr. B. who stood strong in the Lord, and preach- 
ed a wonderful discourse from these words : " Unto 
me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this 
grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles 
the unsearchable riches of Christ." 

The language of the false prophet, respecting Israel, 
was peculiarly appropriate : "He shall pour the water 
out of his bucket." Mr. B. seemed to be let down 
deep into the well of salvation, for he poured forth its 
healing waters copiously indeed. It was obvious that 
all received the impression that he was a man of God,. 
and that heavenly grace enabled him to acquit himself 
in the affecting manner they had witnessed. 

Mr* B. Has since been, as Dr. Gill says, " dubbed 
with D. D." and has been honored with appointments 
in their most important exercises at Dartmouth College. 
On the evening above named, Mr. B. had no notes, 
nor have I ever seen him use any ; and the practice 
among Baptist ministers at that day, I suspect, was 
about as rare as white crows among that species of the 
feathered tribes. This probably -was not owing to 
principle ; but the truth is, most of our ministers at 
that day were illiterate, and were not in the habit of 
writing. Many could preach good sermons who could 
not write ; at least writing would have been out of 
their element. 

That the great head of the church has abundantly 
blessed the labors of unlearned men, stands out in 
bold relief ; but some think that they would have been 
more useful had they been favored with the light of 
science. It is quite certain that scientific men are 
more acceptable to hearers who possess cultivated 
minds, than those whose learning falls far below their 
own. But I suppose it is equally true, that the min- 



ARIEL KEtfDMCK. 19' 

ister, who in the demonstration and power of the holy 
Spirit, developes truth the most clearly, is the most 
likely to promote the best interest of his hearers, 
whether he be a classical scholar or not. 

Soon after my baptism, my mind was exercised with 
severe trials, respecting the duty of engaging in the, 
work of the ministry : and brethren who had witnessed 
my exercises in prayer, exortation, and explanation of 
scripture, suggested that it might be my duty ; yea, 
they even pressed it upon me. But in view of the 
greatness of the work, and the vast responsibilities 
resting on ministers, together with having only a 
trembling hope in God's mercy, with the consideration 
that my education was very inconsiderable, and my 
knowledge of Theology nothing — in view of all these 
difficulties, it seemed like presumption to think of 
engaging in the work. Yet after many trials, struggles 
and much prayer, I decided to venture upon it and 
see what God would do with and by me. It was 
indeed a bold measure, often causing me many mis- 
givings for having entered upon such an all-important 
enterprise. At other times there was great satisfaction 
in preaching the word and administering the ordinances 
of the gospel. 

My first eifort was put forth in Hanover, and the 
encouragement the brethren gave me, induced me to 
improve the opportunities, which were afterward nu- 
merous, in the neighboring churches, where I was 
kindly received. But the gratifying kindness of my 
brethren prepared me for an incident that was exceed- 
ingly humbling. I preached one Sabbath at Strafford, 
so much to the satisfaction of the church, that I was 
invited to give a lecture during the week. To this I 
consented, but did not concern myself about prepara- 
tion, supposing I should easily succeed in the under- 
taking. But on the evening of the meeting I found 



20 LIFE AND TIMES OE 

myself very dull and stupid, and after naming my 
text, was able to proceed but a few minutes before my 
mind was as barren of ideas as the burning deserts of 
Africa are of vegetation. I had not another word to 
say, and sat down, ashamed and confounded! The 
Sabbath previous, I was quite a minister, but now a 
dumb dog that could not bark ! In this painful defeat 
my pride received a severe wound, and the language 
of Job was very applicable to my feelings : " The worm 
is my father, and corruption my sister and mother." 
But it was all necessary to produce in me a constant 
sense of my dependence on God. 

Not far from this time I was called to preach a 
sermon, under circumstances peculiarly trying, in 
which God was better to me than my fears. I was 
then laboring with the church in Woodstock, Vt., and 
had agreed upon an exchange with Mr. Bridgman of 
Hanover. When passing to the place of worship, a 
Congregational brother invited me to give a lecture at 
five o'clock, at their center school-house. Soon it 
occurred to me that Mr. Burroughs, Deacon Freeman, 
a member of Congress, and formerly my guardian, 
and my mother would all probably attend. I was 
overwhelmed with fear and trembling. But self re- 
proaches availed nothing, my consent had been given. 
It would have rejoiced me if the appointment could 
have been recalled ; but the dreadful ordeal must be 
passed. 

As the time drew near, my agony increased until 
my whole form was shaken. The house was immedi- 
ately filled with those whose curiosity was not the least 
of their attributes or moral senses. It appeared certain 
that the multitude would look upon me as a poor, 
illiterate, presumptuous stripling. Just before the 
services commenced, Mr, B., in company with another 
minister came in, and I soon espied my dear mother, 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 21 

who was more in my way than all the rest. She was 
about as pale as a corpse. I saw that her feelings 
were excruciating, which redoubled all my woes. 

But while the storm was raging with violence in my 
bosom, a pious woman, a member of Mr. B.'s church, 
arose and affectionately addressed the assembly, par- 
ticularly exorting all to the exercise of love and chari- 
ty, and to help together by prayer. She doubtless 
judged correctly of my feelings, and desired to aid 
me. Her remarks had the desired effect on me ; they 
were "like apples of gold in pictures of silver." 

The cloud withdrew, and I went through the exer- 
cises unembarrassed ; yea, with quite a measure of 
peace in my own soul, however it might have been 
with others. Mr. B, made the closing prayer, which 
was of a character to afford me much encouragement. 
It seemed to me that if ever God assisted me in 
speaking to my fellow men, it was on that occasion. 
I thought I had reason to erect my ebenezer and say, 
"Thus far the Lord hath helped me." 

Mr. B. would have me tarry with him that night, 
and he treated me with the greatest kindness, and 
considering that I had recently withdrawn from his 
church and joined the Baptist, it evinced a great 
degree of benevolence and disinterestedness in the 
worthy and pious minister. 

The next day, riding with Rev. Washburn, who 
attended the lecture, I perceived by his conversation 
that he had become a convert ; not from nature to 
grace, for I trust he was so before ; but from reading 
to extemporaneous preaching. He said he realy tho't 
the latter was the better method. He was a learned, 
shrewd man. This I say, that those who think other- 
wise may not have it to say that I had led away a 
weaker brother. Here I would incidentally observe ?: 
that the apostle cheered himself with anticipating an 



22 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

appearance before his brethren, without a paper be- 
tween, but that he should speak to them "face to face" 
and mouth to ear. 

In the outset of my labors, I preached a number of 
months to the small church in Sharon, Yt. But they 
were not able at that time to support a pastor, there- 
fore we parted in love, and I went to Woodstock, Yt., 
where I remained some over five years. 

Not long after my departure from Sharon, Mr. 
James Parker, whose training was at the anvil, and a 
member of that church, became their pastor. He was 
a strong minded man, deeply pious, well versed in the 
doctrines of grace, and could preach as correct a ser- 
mon as he could make scythes 

This reminds me of an anecdote of Eld. Higbee, 
who was by trade a blacksmith. An -exchange was 
agreed upon between him and Mr. Sage, a worthy 
Congregational minister at Westminster, Yt. Mr. H. 
was a stranger to most of the people in W. ; but before 
the day closed, several learned his name, and that he 
was a blacksmith. As the people were on their way 
home, a man said to the deacon, " We have had 
for our preacher, to day, a Baptist and a scythe 
maker." "Well," replied the deacon, " if he is as 
good a scythe maker as he is a sermonizer, I will have 
one if I have to go ten miles to obtain it." 

It may be interesting to know how Rev. J. Parker 
was brought into the ministry. 

Rev. John Hebbard of Royalton, a man of great 
piety and much respected by all the churches, often 
visited the church in Sharon, to perform ministerial 
duties. But in a full career of usefulness, he was 
very suddenly cut off. He was to appearance well, 
and in an hour he died, at the age of forty-six ! 

Mr. Parker, on hearing the news of his death, was 
deeply affected, and retired into the woods, alone, to 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 26 

pour out his grief, and pray that the solemn stroke 
might be sanctified to all the churches. While pray- 
ing to know what they should do, now the useful, the 
soul loving, the church loving Hebbard was no more, 
the following words were impressed upon his mind 
with great power : " i Go thou in this thy might,' and 
fill the place now vacated by his death." And subse- 
quently his mind Was drawn powerfully to the work, 
until he entered upon it with great zeal. He was a 
wise, faithful, and useful minister until his death, which 
occurred at the advanced age of seventy. During 
the exercises of worship on the Sabbath, in Norwich, 
Vt., he was overtaken with a stroke of appoplexy, and 
died in a short time with a hope inspired by true 
Christianity. 

At Woodstock I found the church in a most unpleas- 
ant and distracted state, which seemed to have been 
caused by the imprudence of their late pastor, Rev. 
Wm. Grow, He was accused of immoral conduct 
before the church, a part of which censured and con- 
demned him, and a part justified or at least would not 
act against him. At length after much contention and 
bitter strife, they agreed upon a council by which he 
was deposed. But he disregarded their decision, so 
also did a part of the church. Shortly after this he 
became a Christian, and said, he rejoiced to leave the 
little Baptists pen ; but when in very oil age, he 
committed an overt act, which caused all to forsake 
him. Thus conditioned, he was not long after called 
to give his account. This is a most melancholly and 
humbling history of a man who once stood very high 
as a minister of Christ, and should enforce the apos- 
tolic exortation : "Let him that thinketh he standeth 
take heed lest he fall." A short time before the fall 
of Mr. Grow, the church had erected a house of wor- 
ship, shingled the roof, and enclosed the body with 



24 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

rough boards, and then the finishing, on account of 
the vexed state of the church, was staid like the tem- 
ple of old. 

At this time, the Congregational minister, a very 
aged man, became feeble, sickly, and unable to preach. 
Soon after he died when his church waited on my 
ministry. They proposed to the Baptist society to 
surrender the constitution of their house and make it 
free to all denominations, when they would take pews 
and finish it. Accordingly it was done. 

But while the people furnished a house for worship 
they neglected the support of their minister. The 
Congregationalists did not consider me their minister 
in full, and therefore did not feel themselves under 
obligation to do much towards my support, though 
they did something. 

The Baptists in that place, as was too commonly the 
case, construed the scripture, "They that preach the 
gospel shall live of the gospel," in a manner to rid 
themselves of responsibility in the case. They believed 
the sacred text taught that ministers should live upon 
the truth they preached ; and at times it seemed that 
they were decided on enforcing such a manner of liv- 
ing upon me, for I had not much else for sustenance. 
And another passage, " Who feedeth a flock and eateth 
not of the milk of the flock ? " It would seem that 
some men, then and even now, think the milk here 
spoken of is the milk of the word. I suffered much 
for the want of the necessaries of life. I have walked 
two miles and performed the duties of the Sabbath 
without necessary food, because I had nothing suitable 
to carry with me. But I held my peace, feeling that 
the language of Jer. was too applicable to my case : 
" Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for 
the punishment of his sins ? " My services appeared 
so lean and void of merit, that I had but little courage 



ABIEL KENDBICK, 25 

to cry in the language of the " Two daughters of the 
horse leach, give, give." — Pro. xxx : 15. 

Among my many conflicts, one arose from my inor- 
dinate attachment to a fine horse. The first one I 
owned was very old, and in appearance not such as to 
please the taste of a fanciful, high minded young man 
but ere long, I purchased a good looking young steed, 
of which I soon became too proud. I went one eve- 
ning, as usual, to attend to him, after which I rather 
reluctantly engaged in secret devotion. In a few 
moments God's presence seemed to fill the place, 
which rendered it dreadful, for I was exceedingly 
wretched ; and withall my four footed idol was brought 
before me, and he appeared meaner than a crawling 
worm. My distress was so great that towards midnight, 
I went quite a distance to see a brother in the church, 
that he might converse and pray with me. My way 
led me by the meeting house and grave yard. The 
latter place seemed less gloomy than the former in 
which I had performed a great amount of unchristian 
service. I seemed to myself to be a downright hypo- 
crite, and as wretched a being as the ground ever 
sustained. In a few days the burden by degrees was 
through mercy removed, and the storm which beat 
upon my poor soul was in a measure beneficial. 

Fifty years ago there were two Baptist churches in 
Woodstock, and doubtless they could number more 
communicants than any other town within a hundred 
miles of them. But they both have long since lost 
their visibility ; the north church by the imprudence 
of Mr. Grow; the south by the missteps of Rev. E. 
Ransom, for many years Iheir pastor, and undoubtedly 
a truly pious man. He had three brothers in the 
place who were Congregationalists, two of whom were 
ministers and preached there more or less. Through 
the influence of these four brethren, the Congrega- 
te 



26 LIFE AST) TIMES OF 

tional and Baptist churches -worshipped together for 
many years. Mr. B. was exceedingly cautious of 
wounding the feelings of his brothers and their church ; 
and his neglect in preaching his own sentiments, weak- 
ened the Baptist cause. As the result many very 
unpleasant things occurred. During the time of much 
seriousnes among the people, two x worthy Baptist min- 
isters visited the place and preached on the Sabbath 
with great power. At the close of the morning service 
a member of the Baptist church, thinking it an excel- 
lent opportunity for having all the work done in his 
own way, arose and exhorted all Christians, who had 
not obeyed the divine command by being buried with 
Christ in baptism, to attend to the duty on that occa- 
sion, as there were three accredited administrators 
present, who would delight to lead them into the 
watery grave. In the midst of his remarks Mr. Ban- 
som urged him to desist, but to no purpose. A Con- 
gregational deacon arose, and said that such commu- 
nications were not suited to the Sabbath ; the excitement 
became great, and many left the house. 

It was a very unpleasant affair, and greatly dis- 
tressed Mr. B. Had it been a meeting of the Baptist 
church and society, all would have passed off happily. 
I have never known any good to result from a copart- 
nership of different denominations, either in building 
houses of worship, or in any other church concerns ; 
there will always be the " noise of the ax and the 
hammer." 

Let each stand on their own ground, and contend 
with a good spirit for what they believe accords with 
the revealed will of God. But never let them agree 
to divide the living child, to use a figure, for when 
divided neither half will be worth possessing. Not 
that I would alienate Christians of different orders 
from each other ; while they labor each in- their own 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 27 

sphere, let them love one another with a pure heart 
fervently. Mr. R. erred in another point ; he was 
most strenuously opposed to gaiety and fashionable 
living. With this peculiarity, he met with less diffi- 
culty when the town was new ; but being a shire town 
it rapidly increased in population, wealth, and in polish 
and ornaments of life, However much Mr. R. might 
have advanced in piety, he never changed in the 
aforesaid peculiarity, nor gave an inch of ground as 
to his manner of living. His influence therefore de- 
clined, and his hearers decreased until they were so 
few that a little child could write them. 

The following anecdote will illustrate his peculiar 
turn. His wife, during his absence from home pro- 
cured a plain pine table, painted red. When he 
returned and saw the splendid article of furniture, he 
was as much offended as he would have been had he 
found Micha's family gods in his house. He would 
give the proud thing no quarters. He took his ax, 
went into the woods and cut down a large tree, from 
which he split a slab, and manufactured a table by 
boring holes with an augar for the legs, which he made 
with his ax. The humble thing being finished he 
carried it into his house, saying, " Mrs. Ransom, this 
table is sufficient for us." 

The good man having lost a great measure of his 
influence was discouraged and retired from the field 
where he had labored nearly half a century, and went 
into the Black River region, where in a few years he 
was called from his toils to an endless rest. 

Here I will divert the reader with another Wood- 
stock story. One of my hearers by the name of Pad- 
clock lost the wife of his youth ; and as he read " that 
it was not good for man to be alone," he sought and 
found another daughter of Eve, who was willing to 
give him her hand. The wedding day was fixed upon 



28 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

and at the appointed time the guests assembled at the 
house of the bride, but the bridegroom did not make 
his appearance. After waiting some time, a message 
was despatched after the delinquent. He was ulti- 
mately found in retirement very much engaged in 
prayer. The messenger inquired, " Mr. P. what do 
you mean by such -conduct ? " " "What have I done," 
said Mr. P. " Did you not know that this was the 
day set for your marriage ? " " Alas !" he replied, 
" I had forgotten it." He hastened to fulfill his en- 
gagement by submitting to the marriage yoke. 

I doubt very much whether such an instance ever 
occurred before, and if so, this certainly deserves a 
record. And the object which diverted the good 
man's mind is also worthy of notice ; he was so much 
drawn out towards heaven that he even lost sight of so 
important a step. 

During the last two years of my labors in W., by 
request, I preached in the court house half of the 
time. My congregation greatly increased, but my 
situation was unpleasant. The Baptist church was 
nearly extinct, and those who waited on my ministry 
were a mixed multitude, who, though they seemed 
friendly, did not feel much interest respecting my sup- 
port. They did indeed meet from year to year and 
vote a generous sum to remunerate me for my services. 
Some paid their portion but others never did. Could 
I now receive all that was voted but never paid, I 
should be relieved from debts, at once. But perhaps 
eternity will show that I was the greatest delinquent ; 
that had there been more faithfulness on my part, a 
greater blessing would have fallen both on the people 
and on me. 

By a request from the church in Salisbury, N, H., 
I left W. and went to labor in that place. The church 
was in a cold, confused, and divided state. They were 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 29 

gathered tinder the ministry of Rev. Elias Smith. 
His talents were pleasing ; and he was to them like 
" A lovely song of one that had a pleasant voice, and 
could play well on an instrument." 

But many of them seemed to be strangers to evan- 
gelical principles ; and not much less to an evangelical 
spirit. While Mr. S. was with them, he was the bond 
of their union. But faith in man, rather than in the 
power of God, will not remove mountains, nor secure 
men in a sacred brotherhood. When Mr. S.'s voice 
died away, their union and fellowship seemed to die 
away with it, and they were like the people of Babel 
whose language was confounded, 

I dragged along through three years, making some 
feeble and inefficient efforts to bring them into order ; 
and then being discouraged, chose to leave them, 
Roping that some man of age and experience would 
find his way among them, and be the means of uniting 
them, and promoting their spiritual prosperity. 

I ought perhaps to say here, that they waited on my 
ministry and treated me kindly, and were quite reluc- 
tant to have me leave. And besides of what they 
agreed to give me, there was not a cent behind.. 

Subsequent to my departure the church was favored 
with the labors of several worthy ministers, who ex- 
erted themselves to conduct the ship through the storm 
to a safe mooring. For a season, the star of hope 
seemed to glisten upon them, and give promise of a 
bright and prosperous day. But after all the night 
of darkness, came over them, and their ministers were 
constrained to say with the prophet, "I have labored 
ip vain, and spent my strength for nought." I 
believe the church at the present day, is numbered, 
among the things that have been. 

I once heard the pious and venerable Seamans 
preach from the following words : " So run that ye 
3* 



80 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

may obtain." He stated that in order to run success- 
fully the Christian race it was ?J1 important to set out 
right ; and doubtless the same is true concerning 
churches. Some time before Mr. Smith preached at 
S., Mr, Seamans was called to the place co constitute 
a church. After due examination, he said that God. 
must do a great work there, before a Gospel church 
could be formed. 

In this connection I would inform the reader that 
Mr. Stephen Smith, of Woodstock, Yt., had three 
sons, Elias, Uriah, and Ransom, who put on sacerdotal 
vestments ; and as Baptist ministers submitted to the 
rite of recognition ; the eldest at Salisbury, N. H., 
the second at Plainfield, and the third at Conway. 
The churches in this region thought that God had con- 
ferred a great honor on brother Smith, and a great 
blessing on them, in that he was the parent of three 
promising ministers of the ascended Redeemer. They 
thought him honored above Hannah of old, for she- 
gave one priest to the Lord, but he had given him 
three gospel ministers. 

But it is true in the moral world as well as in the 
natural, that we cannot estimate the amount of fruit 
by the number of blossoms. It is a painful truth that 
those three brothers disappointed the fond hope of 
their parents and Christian friends ; their blossoms 
faded, and their root was rottenness ; they abandoned 
the Baptists and enlisted in the ranks of TJniversalism. 

Towards the close of my labors in S. s I was invited 
to become pastor of the church in Cornish, where I 
have spent the greatest part of the " years of my pil- 
grimage," and by far the most useful portion of my 
life. At the time of my introduction to them, their 
number was between thirty and forty. But three 
revivals during my connection with the church increas- 
ed its numbers greatly. They had no meeting house,. 



ARIEL EENDRICK. 31 

and therefore met for worship in school houses. The 
Congregationalists had recently built, and the Baptists 
assisted them with the expectation of occasionally oc- 
cupying the house. But in this they were disappointed 
and they therefore resolved to build one for themselves. 
The second year of my residence among them they 
accomplished the work, and Rev, Aaron Leland, of 
Chester, Vt. preached the dedication sermon from 
these words, " This is none other but the house of 
God, and this is the gate of heaven. 

But this house being located near the other, led the 
Congregational people to think it was done in hostility 
to them which exceedingly wounded and grieved them. 
Their unfriendly feeling caused me much sorrow of 
heart. 

I purchased of one of the deacons thirty acres of 
land on which there was a barn, but no house, for six 
hundred dollars. The brethren promised to pay me 
two hundred dollars a year and furnish me with wood ; 
and beside, to aid in building me a house, and to pay 
the interest on the six hundred dollars until that was 
paid. 

When I went to Cornish, there were but few Baptist 
ministers near. I was therefore often called to attend 
funerals in Unity, Claremont, Croydon, Grantham, 
Lebanon ^Plainfield, Hartland, and Windsor. Some- 
times I was remunerated, and frequently not. If 
murmurings arose in my mind, it was checked by the 
reflection that I might soon need the generous tear I 
paid : this would set all right. 

Had not the wearing apparel of deceased persons 
often been given me, my compensation would have 
been less still ; and a reward in such things if not so 
pleasing, had a better moral influence on my mind. 

For a number of years, things went on smoothly ; 
additions were made to the church, and bretherly love 



32 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

cemented kindred hearts. We were not distracted 
with disciplinary labors. I was often called to give 
counsel to other churches in difficulties, but we called 
none to our aid. Hence I began to think myself a 
skillful navigator. But at length a storm arose and 
beat upon us heavily, and I could neither stay nor 
outride it. This deeply impressed my mind with the 
following scripture : " When God giveth quietness, 
who then can make trouble ; and when he hideth his 
face, who then can behold him, whether it be done 
against a nation or against a man only ? " 

There was a complaint entered to the church against 
the deacon of whom I have spoken ; and as he was 
the oldest, the wealthiest, and the most influential; 
member, the affair caused much trouble. He insisted 
that he had a scriptural right to do the act for which 
he was arraigned. Many of the church were of the 
same opinion, and others were against him, among 
whom was myself. 

He had always been as kind to me as a father, 
which rendered it exceedingly painful to us both. I 
had lost dear relatives, but that cup was less bitter than 
tins which I was now called to drink by the defection 
of the deacon. Darkness and confusion reigned in 
the church for a long time. Those who censured him 
could not bear to loose a brother so much needed, and 
they labored as arduously to convince and save him as 
did the mariners to bring the ship, in which the rebel- 
lious Jonah was a passenger, to land. 

At length he did confess to the abundant joy of all ; 
but he did not stick ; at a subsequent meeting he 
humbled himself before the church on account of his 
confession, and resumed his former position. 

After much labor to no good issue, the church agreed 
to call an extensive council to their assistance. After 
a patient hearing they decided that the deacon was in. 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 88 

the wrong. But he was not moved by their opinion ; 
he still maintained his position. At length the minor- 
ity of the church excluded him ; the larger part not 
voting either for or against him. Several years after 
there was an addition of young members ; some of the 
old members had died and others had moved away. 
With these changes the deacon's case was brought up 
again, and by a vote of the majority he was restored 
to the fellowship of the church, those who formerly 
voted against him, making no resistance. 

While the deacon's case was pending, he took me 
in hand by presenting to the church seven articles of 
grievance against me ; and expecting those who sym- 
pathized with him, might not be wholly impartial, I 
had some fear concerning the result. 

But after a strenuous effort by the complainant to 
convict me, I was acquitted by a unanimous vote on 
every article. One article read thus : "I thought the 
Elder was not as thankful as he ought to have been, 
when I gave him a present." Another, " The Elder 
undertook to dictate me in my business, and said I was 
wrong in feeding my swine with new milk." 

The others were very similar. When I considered 
the deacon's wish to convict me, together with the fact 
that I had lived within a few rods of him for many 
years, I was almost surprised that he did not assail me 
with much heavier allegations. 

His next step was to call me to a rigid settlement of 
all my matters of debt. It was ascertained that instead 
of six hundred, I owed him between nine and ten hun- 
dred dollars ! The church had not paid a dollar of 
the interest on the six hundred dollar note ! And 
beside he had an account against me of frightful 
length. He insisted on my giving him a note for the 
whole. I could never pay it. I offered to restore the 
land, with the house and improvements, together with 



84 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

fifty acres of wild land in Vermont, and more I could 
not do. He finally concluded to be so lenient as to 
accept of the offer ! I then thought and still think 
that he treated me with severity, at least in language. 
The reader will perceive that there was wanting on the 
part of the church, to fulfill the agreement, the interest 
on the six hundred dollars, for nine years. This sum 
the deacon reckoned against me. And as another 
violation of those agreements : those who assisted me 
in building my house, insisted upon its going towards 
their assessments to remunerate me for preaching, and 
thus the cost of the house fell on my shoulders. 

After the above settlement, it will be seen that I 
was left about as poor as Job after his rough handling 
by the prince of darkness. I was without house and 
home, and concluded that T must leave my dear friends 
in C. and serve some other people. The church in 
Newport learning my situation gave me a call to settle 
with them. 

At this stage of things the church inquired if I had 
determined to leave them. In reply, I said it was 
not my desire, unless obliged to do so. They then 
provided me a home by purchasing a place for twelve 
hundred dollars, three years pay day. This movement 
made me most wretched for years to come. The 
church were to pay one half and I the other ; and 
during the three years in which they were paying their 
part, they were not to pay me any salary ; of course 
I must make out this six hundred dollars within three 
years, and maintain a numerous family. 

I was driven to the necessity of borrowing money, 
of contracting one debt to pay another; and of interest 
money, I have paid hundreds upon hundreds of dollars. 
I grappled with poverty, labored with my own hands, 
and struggled to satisfy my creditors, and maintain the 
character of an honest man. But probably it is quite 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 35 

as consistent to blame myself as to impute the severi- 
ties and hardships of life to the neglect of my employ- 
ers. The consideration that I was an unfaithful 
steward gave me a pungent sense of unworthiness, and 
left but a small measure of courage to stand up for 
my right as every good minister ought to do in this 
selfish world ; otherwise he must dig, beg, or starve. 
I ought to have held my brethren to their promise, and 
not indulged them in dishonest negligence, which w T ould 
have been greatly to their benefit, aucl saved me from 
much trouble. Most seriously do I advise my brethren 
in the ministry, to study to please God in their official 
course, and stand up for their right with the flock, 
which they engage to feed with the sincere milk of the 
word. 

Towards the close of the first revival which I wit- 
nessed in C, a cloud of darkness came over my mind. 
All hope in the mercy of God w T as lost, which left me 
on the very borders of despair. It seemed to me that 
all the anguish of mind the converts had expressed 
was not to be compared with mine. But one morning 
I ventured to read a portion of scripture and engage 
in prayer. With much trembling I turned to the gospel 
of John, and had not read far before the scene 
changed ; all was light ; my soul was made lik 
chariot of Aminadab ; my views of truth, and of the 
way of life and salvation, dispersed all the midnight 
darkness ; my feet seemed then to be taken from the 
horrible pit and set upon the rock of Christ, if they 
had never been before ! And, 

" My tongue broke out in unknown strains, 
And sung surprising grace." 

It appeared that I could never again doubt the 
goodness of God ; or that he had made me a joint heir 
with Christ to an inheritence im denied, reserved for 
me in heaven. But alas ! how deceitful is the human 



hb ' of 

heart ! I have bad serious doubts respecting the 
validity of those exercises, as well as others I have 
presented to the reader. 

While I was pastor of the Cornish church, the war 
raged between this nation and England, and the part 
which I then took has been grievous to me since. I 
drank into the war spirit, and delivered addresses and 
harrangues upon the awful conflict which swallowed up 
morals, men, and money, and fixed an indellible stain 
upon the Christian character of both nations. Yfith 
a due regard to that forbearance recommended in the 
word of God, we, probably might have gone clear of 
the war and all its horrors. The situation of England 
at that time was peculiar, and from this arose those 
acts which led our government to declare war against 
her ; and in so doing, no allowance was made for her 
distracted condition, being menanced by a power which 
had shaken almost every throne in Europe. My views 
of war have since undergone a material change. 
Nations as well as men are obliged to obey the precepts 
of the sacred word, which forbids " rendering evil -for 
evil." There is one feature in war which convinces 
me that a righteous God has no attribute that sides 
with it ; namely, it showers clown misery and extreme 
suffering indiscriminately. Look to Mexico, where the 
innocent women and children are slaughtered by hun- 
dreds and thousands ! 

Could the storm fall exclusively upon the heads of 
those who cause it, the case would be somewhat varied. 
But they are generally at such a distance from the 
scene of horror that they can '• eat, drink, and be 
merry." Not one in a thousand of the wretched 
sufferers in Mexico, had any agency in those acts of 
which our government complain. Thus the innocent 
are barbarously treated, while those who generate the 
curse, live at ease and enjoy the delights of earth in 



ARIEL KENDRlCK. 37 

in rich abundance. That a righteous God has pleasure 
in such things, I can no more believe than that lie 
sympathizes with piracy. He would as soon justify 
me in killing my neighbor's cattle, or even his children 
to compel him to make amends for some real or imagi- 
nary evil done to me. When God makes inquisition 
for blood, he will fill those who delight in war with 
their own ways. Happy will it be for those who can 
say, " The weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but 
mighty through God to the pulling down of strong 
holds." 

But to return to my narrative. During my minis- 
trations to that church, I was called to follow to the 
grave three lovely sons and their affectionate mother, 
the wife of my youth, and companion in life near fifty- 
one years. Those were bitter cups indeed, but such 
as are common to man. Thrice happy are those who 
can say with the blessed Redeemer, " The cup which 
my heavenly Father hath given me, shall I not drink 
it ? " Two deaths occurred in my family under painful 
circumstances. While a dear son lay a corpse, I was 
obliged to leave my mourning house and repair to the 
sanctuary to minister at God's holy altar, and officiate 
at the Lord's supper. My text was, " The Lord is 
my portion saith my soul" Through the mercy of 
God I was not wholly comfortless. 

On another occasion I was called to visit a sick per- 
son some distance from home. As it was very stormy 
I could not return until the next morning. When I 
reached home I found a son in the arms of death, 
with the spotted fever ; he did not know me, and in a 
few hours the spirit took its flight. This was a very 
severe stroke indeed. He was about nine years of age 
and I supposed him in a state of nature. Deeply did 
I regret my unfaithfulness while he was in health. The 
only course of safety is to be faithful to our children 
4 



38 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

each day, for we can never know the events of to-mor- 
row. A family may to-day be in health, and to-morrow 
be shrouded in mourning, for death has spread his 
dusky wings over them, and one or more has fallen. 
For twenty years there was more or less sicknesss, in 
my family, which, among other things was the cause 
of my worldly embarrassments. But though in low 
circumstances my family did not suiter materially for 
the necessaries of life. Through mercy Ave had our 
daily bread. I have many friends to whom I am 
greatly indebted for their kindness and charity, and a 
slight notice in this place is bub due, though I' trust 
they will receive their reward in heaven. 

In one case of extreme exigency, I made my cir- 
cumstances known to friends in Plainheld, Lebanon, 
and Windsor, from whom I received the generous sum 
of one hundred dollars, which was of great service 
indeed to me. At another time when my land was 
under mortgage, I visited Lowell and Boston, to Mr. 
Stow's and Mr. Colver's ; in Cambridge to Mr. Par- 
ker's, and in Brookline to Mr. Spoiler's people ; and 
by the influence of those kind hearted ministers, col- 
lections were taken up for me to the amount of one 
hundred and forty dollars. Their munificence deeply 
affected me, and will be remembered with emotions of 
gratitude, as long as memory performs its office. — 
While for the grace of salvation I would exclaim, 
" Thanks to God for his unspeakable gift." I would 
offer him the same ascription of praise for the above 
named favors. 

As the result of my situation, I was unable to furnish 
myself with books to the extent desirable. True, my 
supply was far better than that of the "five brethren " 
who " had Moses and the prophets ; " lor beside those, 
I had Christ and the apostles, which I have read abun- 
dantly, if not savingly. If I have preached error it 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 39 

was not because authors, ancient or modern, had misled 
me. Not one time in a hundred have I known the 
Sentiments of any man respecting my text. I mention 
this not as an example for others, but as a specimen of 
the numerous disadvantages in my way. God blessed 
me however, with good neighbors, who favored me 
with the reading of Edwards, Hopkins, West, Poole, 
Fuller, Scott, Bishop of Canterbury, and many other 
authors. Still I never had learning enough to "make 
me mad," and perhaps not enough to make me sober, 
or at least to render me useful in my day and genera- 
tion. With more learning I might have been a more 
acceptable and useful preacher. 

I envy no minister for his superior learning, but 
rejoice that many, in this respect, as well as in their 
excellent qualities, are my superiors. But we read 
that " A book that was sealed was given to one that 
was learned, to read, and he said I cannot, for it is 
sealed. And it was then delivered to one that w r as 
not learned to read, and he saith I am not learned. 5 ' 
Thus it is obvious that all who engage in the work of 
the gospel ministry, need that teaching which flesh and 
blood cannot impart. 

When I had served the church in Cornish as pastor 
for nearly twenty years, my health having become 
poor and my prospects of usefulness small, it appeared 
my duty to vacate the place, for the church to call 
some one to the field whose labors he might crown with 
success. To benefit my health by riding, I chose to 
visit destitute churches, and preached more or less in 
Acworth, Unity, Plainheld, East and West Windsor, 
Cavendish, and Ludlow. Most if not all of these 
churches are now and have been for some years 
blessed with able pastors. 

Early in the commencement of the temperance 
reform, I took a lively interest in it, and lectured and 



40 LIFE AND TIMES OE 

formed societies in nearly forty different towns in New 
Hampshire and Vermont. This cause like all others 
of a moral nature, has had to contend with a host of 
deluded antagonists. But hitherto its success has ex- 
ceeded the most sanguine expectations of its friends. 
May its onward march still continue, and shed its 
benign influence on every virtuous and useful interest 
this side heaven ; and lay a strong hand on all and 
every kind of immorality this side the grave. There 
is excepting sin nothing which is oftener the working 
of Satan than strong drink ; and therefore we may be 
assured that he and all his unhappy adherents will 
strive to maintain its popularity, and perpetuate its 
prevalence among men. 

No man living perhaps is better prepared to say 
how precious water is, than myself, as by its use I 
have been cured of two diseases ; one that threatened 
my comfort through life, the other life itself. I drank 
water to the exclusion of tea and coffee as well as 
strong liquor.- These facts I mention for the benefit 
of my fellow men. 

In the course of my public career I have performed 
three missionary tours. One in the north part of 
Vermont and Canada, the other two in Vermont. My 
first was in company with Rev. John Hibbard, of whom 
I have spoken. This was his second, and generally 
he took his former track. And I cannot now say how 
many were heard to thank God for the precious and 
durable fruits of his first friendly tour among them. 
One would say that he was blessed by his preaching ; 
another, that his son or daughter was awakened and 
blessed. On a certain day we called at the house of 
a man in Canada ; who very soon came in much af- 
fected, and full of joy. With tearful eyes he said 
that he had been praying the Lord to send some mis- 
sionaries among them, and just as he ended his prayer 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 41 

his daughter saluted him with the pleasing information 
of our arrival, which was a gracious answer to his 
prayer. Hibbard was led to take those towns by the 
pressure of his own sympathies for the scattered here 
and there in the wilderness, destitute the preaching of 
the soul saving gospel. He was unaided, and not 
rewarded by any society : but that gracious Saviour 
whom he delighted to preach and to recommend to his 
dying fellow men — knew all the way he took and with 
what holy zeal he presented a crucified, risen, and 
exalted Redeemer. 

And when God shall make up his jewels, the apos- 
tles and Cary, Marshman, Ward, Newel, Hibbard and 
a host of other self-sacrificing missionaries will be 
alike accepted and rewarded by him whose cause they 
enhanced and whose kingdom they strove to upbuild. 
At that day the country was new and the traveling 
bad indeed ; the houses very poor, and in many in- 
stances their living was poor, and their lodging was 
the same, and money was exceeding scarce. When 
we arrived home after a six weeks' tour, we had jointly 
five or six dollars. I remember that the pious Hibbard 
said that if he served his master better, he would see 
him better rewarded. 

In these three towns I did not see one house of re- 
ligious worship, excepting one or two made of logs, 
and so poorly lighted that I could scarcely read my 
text. Subsequently, when I have seen people in more 
ancient towns repudiate their houses of worship in 
favor of more splendid and pleasant ones, I have 
thought how happy the people of the wilderness would 
feel did they possess houses equal to those deserted. 
It was pleasing to see the zeal which the people man- 
ifested to hear the preached word. On my three tours 
I rode many miles in paths not " cast up." I preached 
many sermons, and administered baptism to a number,. 
4* 



42 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

and constituted one church. I was, I am sensible,, 
very much if not wholly wanting in the necessary 
qualifications of a Christian missionary. The amount 
of good which I effected, or whether any, is known 
only to Him whose way is everlasting ; and by whom 
all actions are weighed- When on my tour in Canada,, 
I one morning walked out to see the surrounding 
scenery ; I espied a solitary grave on an eminence ; 
and asked the man of the house how it happened that 
a person was thus interred. He said : a man in the 
neighborhood lost his wife, and that her grave was 
opened in the common burying ground, but before her 
funeral it was ascertained that she had never been 
baptised, therefore it was thought that she was not 
worthy of a burial among christianized dust. 

This reminded me of the trial and language of Dr. 
Young. He went with a sick daughter into a new 
country for her health, where she died. They refused, 
here a Christian burial because she was a heretic in 
their view. The Dr. said he cursed the ground, be- 
cause they refused dust to cover dust, a privilege they 
did not deny their dogs. The same man told me that 
a neighbor had his babe baptized by a transient preacher 
who was found to be an impostor. This information 
filled the mind of the father with anxiety, as he thought 
the validity of the ordinance depended on the good 
character of the administrator. He asked advise, but 
his advisers were not agreed on the subject. Some 
thought that as he had in sincerity given up the child 
and the name of the holy trinity had been pronounced 
upon him, the babe would receive all the benefit which 
the sacred rite was designed to impart. But others 
contended that the bad character of the administrator, 
was a blast upon the ordinance. There were those 
who gave it as their opinion, that it would be entirely 
consistent for him to baptize his child himself as there. 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 48 

was not a regular minister except at a great distance ;. 
but he said the difficulty of it was, he had forgotten 
the words in use, on the occasion ; and as the child 
was healthy and bid fair to live, he thought he should 
risk him with the doubtful baptism. At this day, even 
wise men who believe that infant baptism is scriptural, 
might differ in opinion respecting the duty of the 
parent in the case presented. My opinion is, that if a 
man submits to the ordinance of baptism by the hand 
of a man who is an accredited minister of the gospel, 
that his baptism will be approved of God so far as 
relates to the candidate although the administrator 
may prove to be an impostor* 

Sixty years since, Baldwin, Peake, Ransom, Hib- 
bard, and a few others, fired with seraphic zeal went 
through the wilderness, not of Judea but of New 
Hampshire and Vermont, offering salvation to their 
sinful dying brethren in the name and through the^ 
merits of a Saviour, whom ffoyhad found to be precious 
indeed. They rode poor horses and saddles and were 
poorly clothed, but all these privations together with 
bad roads, cold houses, poor living, hard lodging, and 
little or no reward, did not move them, neither count- 
ed they their lives dear unto themselves. Their 
grand object was to make known the sweet savor of the 
name of Christ, and thus save precious souls. I do 
not rank myself with those venerable ministers : but 
could I with propriety do so, I should consider it a 
favor above any in the power of the world to bestow. 
To rest the mind of the reader I will here relate an 
anecdote of a very serious character. Many years 
since, there lived' a woman in Hanover who was a. 
member of the Congregational church, at the college. 
Her husband was a great enemy to religion. At a 
certain time she visited her friends in Hartford, Conn., 
There was at the time a revival of religion in the Bap- 



44 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

tist church, in that citj. A number were baptized, 
and she was among them, being convinced that it was 
the scriptural way. Her husband was not with her, 
but when she returned and he was informed that she 
had become a Baptist, he was extremely embittered 
against her, and became her unrelenting persecutor. 
She being grieved with his unkind treatment, repented 
having been baptized. She said to herself, "If I am 
a Christian, heaven would have been as sure to me 
without baptism, as with, and I should have saved 
myself the trials which befall me by the severity of my 
enraged husband." As soon as those thoughts and 
reasonings sprang up in her mind, she sunk into entire 
despair, and thus remained during the lapse of a num- 
ber of months, and for a number of days before she 
emerged from this lamentable situation, she neither 
ate nor slept ; indeed such was her agony of mind, 
that she gnawed the flesh on her arms. At this time, 
Bev. Abel Bridgman visited her, and endeavored by 
his conversation to assuage her grief; but to no pur- 
pose. Her soul was still in chains. He then said to 
her that he felt a strong desire to commit her case to 
God in prayer ; but she objected, saying, " That it 
would be an insult to God, and more intensely enkindle 
his wrath." But he replied " That he felt it to be his 
imperative duty." She at length said, " That if he 
must pray, she must hear him," He poured out all 
his soul to God, in the name of his Son. And the 
effectual, fervent prayer of this righteous man availed 
much ; for before he reached his amen, her hope began 
to revive, the chains, bolts, and bars of death became 
powerless ; under the hand of a merciful God, who 
brought her up from the horrible pit, and miry clay y 
and renewed in her mouth the song of praise. She 
now became willing to confess Christ before men, come 
life or death. But it pleased God soon to take her 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 45 

from a bosom pregnant with gall to the bosom of Abra- 
ham. During the time of my ministry in Cornish, I 
saw much d,f the goodness of the Lord in preaching 
the precious word, and in administering the ordinances 
therein enjoined. In the first reformation which was 
in the winter, baptism was administered almost half a 
mile from any house, and sometimes the weather was 
very cold ; but yet crowds would assemble to witness 
the sacred rite. The presence of the Lord rendered 
those seasons peculiarly solemn and interesting ; and 
the health of the candidates was not injured to my 
knowledge. 

This I think was very pure work indeed, and the 
subjects of it held on their way looking unto Jesus, 
the author and finisher of their faith. During three 
revivals my labors were arduous but still my satisfac- 
tion in them was unspeakably great. I would say 
with the poet, 

" O ! how sweet my labors wer?, 
When so many came to hear." 

I hope my preaching was blest to the conversion of 
some sinners, but still I think more were awakened to 
a sense of their lost condition by hearing their fellows 
declare what the Lord had done for their precious 
souls. We had one peculiarly solemn Sabbath. It 
was communion season. Between twenty and thirty 
young converts submitted to the articles of faith, and 
covenants, and sat down with the church the first time 
to partake of the memorials of their Lord's sufferings 
and death. This was a season of immense joy to the 
church, She could say with the Psalmist, " This is 
the day which the Lord hath made, we will be glad 
and rejoice in it." We looked back to the day when 
about thirty sat down to the sacramental table, but 
now to see two hundred compass the table of the Lord 
was almost overwhelming and led us to say " What has 



46 LIFE AND TIMES OP 

God wrought ? " In those days our singing was 
almost seraphic, and this doubtless drew numbers to 
our house of worship. We had a brother in the church 
who was a most excellent chorister, who took unwearied 
pains to render that part of worship what it ought 
to be, I would advise our brethren to imitate his 
pious example. 

When I first united with the church in Cornish, it 
was composed of a little rising thirty members. There 
are now only two of those members remaining, the. ab- 
sent members have I trust joined the church trium- 
phant. But through the mercy of God the church 
still lives with a great increase of members ; though 
her beginning was small she has from time to time 
been blest with the addition of humble converts to 
supply the place of those whom I trust were called to 
fill higher seats in heaven. From this church the fol- 
lowing persons have gone out as gospel preachers, viz.: 
Gage, Hough of India, Daniel and Horace Richardson, 
Gustin, Baker, and Demming. When I was first 
introduced to the Woodstock Association, in the days 
of my youth, the following ministers officiated in this 
region of country in the churches viz : Leland of 
Chester, Seamans of New London, Ambrose of Sutton, 
Woodward of Wendell, Ledoit of Newport, Ransom 
of South Woodstock, Wm. Grow of North Woodstock 
and Bridge water, Higbee of Alstead, Jededia Hibbard 
of Lebanon, John Hibbard of Royalton, John Drew 
of Hartford. Abel and Isaac Bridgman of Hanover, 
Coombs of Jamaica, Bailey of Westmoreland, Willard 
of Dublin, and Elliot of Mason. Higbee is yet living, 
the others have fallen asleep. This class of ministers 
with one or two exceptions were the very favorites of 
heaven ; they were apostolic in principle, spirit, life, 
and usefulness ; and the dust with which they have 
mingled dust, I consider to be highly honored. They 



AEIEL KENDMCK. 47 

have doubtless realized in their better part the truth 
and blessedness of the saying, " They that turn many 
to righteousness shall shine as the brightness of the 
firmament and as the stars forever and ever." 

There was not a classic scholar among their number, 
yet they were mighty in the scriptures, and their lan- 
guage was not offensive even to the learned. They 
were strong minded men by nature, and of course 
succeeded better without much learning than they 
could have done with smaller endowments. At the 
time when the ministers among the Baptists were not 
learned, it pleased God to furnish the churches with 
men of rare intellectual power, and a great measure 
of the holy spirit. Many very learned men as well as 
others have been affected and astonished upon hearing 
illiterate ministers expound and enforce evangelic 
truth ; spreading light through the whole assembly 
which took knowledge of them, that they had been 
with Jesus. 

Since it is understood that the ministry is to be learn- 
ed, it would seem that divine providence has not been 
very careful to shut the door to the ministry, against 
men wanting in shrewdness. I mean not to disparage 
learning while I speak of the great merit of illiterate 
ministers, but would commend and magnify the grace 
of God, to the churches, in that he blest them with an 
efficient ministy in the absence of classic attainments. 
How much more good Christ will accomplish by a 
learned ministry time will decide ; but one thing is 
certain, if learned ministers fall as much below their 
fathers in piety as they rise above them in the cultiva- 
tion of the mind, it is to be feared that they will not 
surpass them in moral influence and usefulness in the 
churches. 

Lecloit came from Woodstock, Conn, to Newport, 
and after he had served that church faithfully and use- 



48 LIFE AND TIMES OP 

fully about twenty years, and much endeared himself 
to all the churches in the region, he was unani- 
mously invited to return to the church of his youth. 
By the advice of a council his pastoral relation to the 
church in Newport was dissolved with the tenderest 
feelings on both sides. But his second race in Wood- 
stock was short, not more than four or five years. I 
learnt that he was taken ill while officiating at a funer- 
al. He observed that he should soon preach his loudest 
sermon by his death. I was told that while he was in 
conflict with the king of terrors, that unearthly music 
was heard by those around him. The church at New- 
port, on hearing of the death of the venerable and 
godly man, requested me to attend with them and give 
a sermon on the occasion of his death. To this I 
complied, and composed a lengthy hymn to be sung 
on the occasion.- Three verses of which I will here 
insert. -1 

O, wondrous flight in grace's car 

Beyond the orbs of light, 
Gone from the realms of noise and strife, 

And from all nature's sight. 

Ah ! lonely man, you've gained the land 

Where holy spirits live, 
No more with sin thy mind is stained, 

Nor aught thy spirit grieves. 

Adieu, Ledoit, thou man of God ; 

You've gained the heavenly shore 
And we the brethren of your love 

Shall see your face no more. 

The writer in reviewing the scenes of a prostrated 
life sees much to admire on the part of the Ruler of 
the universe, and much to deplore in his own history. 
He has seen in the history of others, abundant proof 
that imperfection cleaves to the best of men during 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 49 

the time of their sojourn in this state of existence. I 
have seen not a few men hopefully pious, greatly err 
and wound the cause of Christ. I have seen many 
high professors, wholly apostatize, and return again 
into Egypt. Since the morning of my life, I have 
been acquainted with many ministers of all denomi- 
nations, and only a minority of them have gone thro' 
life with an unsullied reputation, as ministers of Christ. 
Some have been cast down by wine, others by women ; 
some have left the ministry and gone into worldly 
speculation ; others [have given up the ministry and 
have stepped on to the political arena and have sought 
office in Csesar's kingdom. 

A number have committed suicide. Many have 
departed from the faith and have embraced false doc- 
trines. But some have gone through their earthly 
pilgrimage as seeing him that is invisible and as 
remembering the sacred words, "Thou Godseestme," 
and their sun has sunk below the western horrizon 
without a darkening cloud. They could say with an 
apostle, " I have fought a good fight, I have kept the 
faith." 

These things have often affected me, while they 
confirm the sentiment, that but a few will finally reach 
heaven ; and that some men of distinction in the 
church in this world, will be disowned of Christ in the 
world to come. I have heretofore had many doubts 
respecting my good standing in Christ, and have, to 
this day ; but in my darkest hours, I can bless God 
that he has in mercy held me from being a public 
scandall to the Christian cause. The fall of others 
has pressed home this scripture : "Let him that thinketh 
he standeth, take heed, lest he fall." In reviewing my 
life, I see many things to lament in my own conduct, 
and I admire the forbearance of God towards me, a 
very unworthy creature. At times, I fear that my 
5 



50 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

life is protracted in judgment ; that I may fill an in- 
iquitous cup to the brim. But when I consider that 
I have seen and tasted much of the goodness of the 
Lord, during my earthly pilgrimage, I am led to hope 
for greater things ahead. 

I must soon lay aside my harness, put on the shroud 
and be called to my final account. Pungent sorrow 
becomes me, that I have not run more straightly and 
with more agility the Christian race ; that I have not- 
fought better and done more to promote that cause 
which interests earth, and has the sympathy of all in 
heaven. My departure will soon be announced, and I 
am sure that my life has merited but few tears for that 
solemn event ; and I doubtless shall have more than I 
should durst ask, were I to speak from the dead. 

There is a glorious day to the church drawing near. 
The clay star is up ; a sure indication that the night is 
far gone, and the day at hand. I shall not five to see 
it in full splendor, nor ought I be anxious in the case ; 
but pray to be thankful for the light, truth, and grace 
which I have seen displayed in this fallen, sin-stricken 
world. 

Many speculations respecting the millenium have 
found their way into the world, which had no tendency 
to render men either holier or happier. Mr. Miller is 
not the only errorist on this subject. 

A millenium of a thousand years is promised to the 
church. But it is evident that the time has not yet 
come, for Satan has not yet been bound, as he will be 
through that auspicious and glorious day. It is not 
given to us to know the times and the seasons which 
the Father hath put in his own power. 

The commencement of the millenium is at present a 
secret with God, while the peculiarities of it are much 
more dear. A principle feature in the character of 
the millenium, will consist of a vast increase of holi- 



t ARIEL KENDRICE. 51 

fress on the earth, as I understand the scripture on 
this subject. Let us then labor, and pray to have 
much of the beauty of the Lord upon us. Thus shall 
we be prepared for millenial light and glory, if we 
should live to see the time ; and if we should not, we 
shall be prepared for that blessed state, where the 
spirits of just men are made perfect. The above re- 
marks are incidental, as I had not thought of discussing 
the subject at length. Those persons who discuss and 
enforce the precepts of the gospel, and so persuade 
men to assume their native dignity, and act in a man- 
ner agreeing with their relation to the moral universe, 
serve their generation much better than those who 
exhaust themselves in speculations which have no 
practical bearing. 

The reader will perhaps be gratified to receive some 
account of my brother, Clark Kendrick, who labored 
many years in the gospel ministry. To this I therefore 
consent to devote a short space as it may be pleasing 
to his widow and children, and those who enjoyed his 
ministry and acquaintance. 

At an early age he was thrown upon the mercies of 
a cold, selfish world. The trials and hardships he 
suffered, greatly injured his health, and at the age 
of eighteen there were alarming symptoms of con- 
sumption. A change of situation and employment 
was recommended, and therefore, after a long journey 
by which his health was much improved, he engaged 
in teaching. The godly conversation of the family in 
which he boarded, led him to cry out in deep distress, 
" What shall I do to be saved ? " For about six weeks 
he continued in the greatest darkness and anguish of 
mind, when the day star arose in his heart, he meekly 
submitted to the yoke of Christ, and found inexpress- 
ible delight in so doing. He soon followed the Savior 
into the watery e;rave a and united with the Baptist 



52 LIFE AND TIMES OP 

church in Hanover. This surprising change in his 
spiritual state, was immediately followed with serious 
impressions, that he must preach the gospel. These 
convictions he at once rejected, but they were enforced 
upon him with increased power, and after a most 
severe conflict the point was yielded and he exclaimed 
with the prophet, " Here am I, Lord, send me." 

The next question was, where he should make the 
attempt. He feared to come before the people in 
Hanover, and therefore desired to set his face towards 
the west. Accordingly he asked and received a letter 
from the church, and taking an affectionate but sor- 
rowful leave of the brethren, he traveled to Salem, N. 
Y., where he was cordially received, and treated with 
all possible kindness by Rev. Obed Warren. Mr. W. 
obtained a school for him, and at a ministers meeting, 
introduced the lad to his brethren by whom he was 
examined in his Christian experience, and his call to 
the ministry, and " bid God speed " in the great work. 
Upon this Mr. W. invited him to preach to his own 
congregation, and after improving his gift as he had 
opportunity for a short time, he recieved an invitation 
to preach in Poultney, Vt. 

The Baptists were few in number, and then had no 
place of worship, and as the Congregational church 
had no minister, both denominations met together. 
Soon after my brother began to sow the seed, he was 
permitted to gather in the fruit. A very powerful 
reformation commenced ; conversions were numerous, 
and baptismal scenes frequent. 

The warm reception given to Baptist sentiments, 
alarmed the Congregationalists , and an opposition was 
made to my brother's preaching in their house. A 
general meeting of all concerned in the house was 
called, and a majority of them chose to leave him to 
go on. But dissatisfaction prevailed, which led the 



ARIEL KEKDRICK. 53 

Baptists to take themselves out of the way._ The}- 
soon erected a spacious house for themselves, in which 
my brother preached until his voice was silenced in 
death. 

Under his ministry the church increased in numbers, 
knowledge, and piety, and became the most efficient 
Baptist church west of the mountain, if not in the 
state. Uninterrupted harmony prevailed between pas- 
tor and people during the term of his labor with them, 
which was over twenty years. 

They treated him with surpassing kindness and 
respect, and his attachment for the church was like 
that of a father to his children. Many, indeed, were 
his spiritual children. Every revolving year, as fresh 
acts of kindness were mutually manifested, the fel- 
lowship was strengthened until death rent it assunder, 
and he was called to the church triumphant. 

Those churches and pastors which are favored with 
but a short union, know but little of the tender love 
and fellowship enjoyed by this church and pastor for 
many years. The words of the prophet seemed to be 
fulfilled in their case, " As a young man marrieth a 
virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee." 

His labors were various and abundant. He was 
frequently called to attend councils, a sphere of labor 
by no means desirable. He was appointed to preach 
the election sermon, before the Legislature of Vt., and 
served as chaplain during the session. 

In the latter part of his life he was sent on a mis- 
sionary tour into western New York and Pennsylvania. 
But this enterprise proved too much for his wasted 
constitution. It was in the winter season, and at the 
time of the war with England, and at that day he 
could not avoid being greatly exposed. When he 
returned he was broken down, and the powers of life 
seemed giving way. He never recovered his former 
5* 



54 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

vigor, but his strength gradually declined until his 
death, though he continued to preach some three years 
longer. 

The Sabbath before he died he repaired to the house 
of worship, but was too feeble to preach, and the fol- 
lowing Thursday he was struck with a paralytic shock 
which made him sensible that he had nearly reached 
the end of his course. But he was calm and resigned. 
The most of the time he was rational, though there 
were seasons when his reason failed him. Near the 
closing scene, he prayed very sensibly and closed as 
follows : " Amen and Amen. The prayers of David 
the son of Jesse are ended." 

The following Sabbath evening, at his request, he 
was raised from the bed and placed in a chair ; 
and in a few moments, he fell asleep in Jesus, at the 
age of forty-eight. If we may measure a man's years 
by the amount of service performed, then he may be 
reckoned, as his appearance indicated, as a very aged 
man. His funeral drew together a vast concourse of 
people, who were anxious to see once more the face 
of him who had often caused them gladness of heart. 
On the occasion, a subscription paper was circulated 
through the assembly and three hundred dollars were 
raised for his widow and fatherless children. This 
indicated that he was highly esteemed in the commu- 
nity where he had spent the most of his life. 

He left five sons and three daughters ; but two of 
the latter in a few years followed him, and soon after 
a third ; she went to Georgia for her health and there 
found her grave. The sons are all living. The second 
is professor in languages in Madison University. The 
youngest is a Baptist minister in Georgia, where the 
other three are engaged in mercantile business. Their 
honored mother lives with the Professor at Hamilton, 
1ST. Y. He greatly endeared himself to all young 



AKIEL KENDMCK. 55 

ministers with whom he became acquainted, by his 
affectionate and tender treatment. Their defects he 
would point out in a kind and fatherly manner. He 
was greatly interested in the education of young men 
who were looking towards the ministry. Madison 
University, in Hamilton, N. Y. drew out all his sym- 
pathy, and with it he almost identified his happiness 
and life. Had he known that one of his own sons 
would compose a part of its efficient board of instruc- 
tion, he might have richly felt repaid for all his efforts. 

Though he was a self taught man, a Vermont Col- 
lege complimented him with the degree of A. M. I 
trust he did not seek it, for I esteem it contrary to 
-the instruction of Christ : " Be not called Rabbi." 
As to the difference between being called Rabbi and 
D. D., I leave it for those who receive and are pleased 
with the title to decide. 

The remainder of the volume will consist of miscel- 
laneous matter. 



DOCTRINE. 

I am, and ever have been, strictly a Calvinist, not 
a fatalist, As to sect, I am a Baptist ; and there are 
three passages of scripture which I think will sustain 
me, viz : 

1. "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel 
to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized 
shall be saved ; but he who believeth not shall be 
damned." 

2. " Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost." 

3. " Buried with Christ in baptism." 

In the course of my pilgrimage, I have known many 
ministers and churches set out upon the open com- 



50 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

nmnioii system ; they made a profession of Christianity 
the term, and the only term of admission into the 
church. They started, as they supposed, under good 
auspices ; but their days have long since been num- 
bered and finished. 

People without fixed sentiments may jumble together 
with ease ; but different denominations of men, each 
one being sure that his sentiments are a transcript of 
God's holy word, cannot unite in one church relation. 
" How can two walk together," says the prophet, " un- 
less they be agreed ? " Let each denomination stand 
on its own ground, and there cultivate a spirit and 
temper of love towards each other, and behave in a 
dignified manner, avoiding all intrigue to build up 
themselves and supplant their brethren . 

SECRET SOCIETIES. 

For Christians to become members of secret combi- 
nations, such as Masons, Odd Fellows, Sons of Tem- 
perance, &c, I think to be an error of great magni- 
tude, and a violation of the sacred scriptures, which 
say : " He that doeth truth, cometh to the light, that 
his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought 
in God." 

The murder of Morgan was a great evil indeed, but 
God overruled it for good, in that it opened the eyes 
of many and led them to see that the Institution carried 
in its face the mark of the beast. 

Some men are endeavoring to revive and give pop- 
ularity to the unchristian Society. But I should be 
glad to hear some man with the piety and inspiration 
of Joshua say the same respecting it, that he said 
of the fallen Jericho, " Cursed be the man before the 
Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city, Jericho ; 
he shall lay the foundation thereof in his first-born, 



ARIEL EENDRICK. 5T 

and in his youngest son shall he setup the gates of it." 

SLAVERY. 

This idol of our boasted land of Liberty (?) is in 
my opinian, a violation of the moral law and the pre- 
cepts of the gospel. The former requires a man to 
" love his neighbor as himself," and of course to carry 
out this holy affection in his life. Is there a slaveholder 
on earth who would be a slave ? It is then a breach 
of the moral law to enslave his fellow man. Is there 
one who would be willing that either his son or daugh- 
ter should be reduced to slavery ? What right, ac- 
cording to the moral law, has he then to enslave oth- 
ers ? The same principle is a precept of the gospel. 
"Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto 
you, do ye even the same unto them." As there is 
not a human being who would be willing that himself, 
or his child, should be brought under the curse of 
slavery, therefore, to enslave a fellow man is as palpa- 
ble a violation of the law and the gospel, as murder is 
of the sixth commandment. 

It is written, " Love worketh no ill to its neighbor." 
And is there a slaveholder on earth, that can muster 
up a sufficient measure of audacity, to say, that to 
chattehze, to inhumanize, to compel a man to labor all 
his days, without reward ; that to withhold useful and 
necessary knowledge ; to prevent a man's reading the 
volume of divine truth ; to separate husbands and 
wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters ; to 
subject virtuous, pious females to the licentiousness 
of vile dastardly masters ; to give out bread by weight 
and water by measure ; to be under task masters hke 
the Israelites in Egypt — What man, I say, can be so 
audacious and inhuman as to say, that to subject a man, 
or millions of men to the above condition " is working 



58 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

no evil to his neighbor ? " Nay, as blind and as" 
selfish as Dr. Fuller appears to be, I cannot think that 
he would dare assert it. 

It is much to be lamented that when Christian, and 
even heathen nations, are awaking to the sin and in- 
humanity of slavery, that Dr. F. should exert all his 
intellectual and religious influence to perpetuate an 
institution which has received the malediction of heaven 
on its injustice and cruelty. True the Dr. assumes to 
(does he really ?) believe that God is well pleased 
with slavery ! and is only displeased with the abuse 
of it. His scriptural heaven born slavery, as defined, 
consists in compelling a man to serve him without 
reward. 

This, then, is the principle upon which we are ft? 
act towards each other, is it ? Well, then, shall I 
apply it ? Shall I take the Dr. and compell him to 
serve me without reward ? Ah, no ! says the good 
Dr., justly enough ! I am a citizen of this Republic, 
and a disciple of the Saviour ! If I serve you, a re- 
ward will be my due, and I must have it ! If you 
need a servant, take one from his degraded heathenish 
condition. Then this is where the principle applies, 
is it ? A free Christian citizen of this Republic must 
take the poor degraded heathen and compell him to 
serve him without reward ! Would it not be a fine 
recommend of his principles of freedom and Christian- 
ity, to cheat a poor heathen of the reward due him for 
his services ? But, says our good brother Fuller, the 
inhabitants of Africa are in a much worse condition 
than they would be in the servitude for which I con- 
tend ; the change would be for their good, and might 
result in the salvation of their souls. 

Then it is necessary to deprive the brethren of their 
liberty, and wrong them of the reward due for their 
service, in order to raise them from heathenism and 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 59 

save their souls, is it ? It must be evident that the 
colored race may be civilized and christianized without 
subjecting them to so much wrong. Such generous 
humanity and benevolence may be turned to better 
account than to subject those objects of piety to re- 
wardless servitude. Send them missionaries. Let 
one-fourth the amount expended to support slavery, be 
appropriated for this purpose, and the compassionate 
feelings of the heart would not be exercised in vain. 
This would certainly more favorably recommend Chris- 
tianity than defrauding them of just the reward of their 
service. 

But it is said that the unreasonableness of it is not 
the thing, but that its scriptural authority is what is 
contended for ? Let us look for that then. But let 
me premise : how does it happen that you are a citizen 
of this Republic, and advocate the principles of liberty ? 
Why do you not advocate the monarchial government 
of the good old Bible times ? 

Very true, in answer to your questions in ancient 
times God gave orders for the appointment of a King, 
and gave such instructions as were necessary to regu- 
late the conduct of the people towards the kingly 
office. But it was not designed to be perpetual ; tho' 
there is nothing said in scripture of its abrogation, yet 
monarchial government was only permitted, and the 
principles of Republicanism, (be careful not to give 
the cause of liberty too much ground !) were obviously 
designed for human governments ; hence I advocate 
them, 

I have no objections to your views on this point, but 
let us apply your reasoning to your scripture authority 
for slavery. Immediately after the flood, it was said 
of the descendants of Ham, " Cursed be Canaan; a 
servant of servants shall he be." But this is the 
farther est possible from making slavery scriptural. If 



80 LIFE AND TIMES OP 

we look to other portions of the divine oracles we shall 
find the record of instructions, by which the traffic in 
slavery and the conduct of masters towards them were 
to be regulated ; but even there, we can find nothing 
rendering it perpetual. And if we look still further, 
we shall find scripture which set definable and impass- 
able limits to slavery ; and, if carried out, would whol- 
ly put an end to the system in human society. In the 
year of Jubilee, all were required to give liberty to 
their servants, or slaves ; they were commanded to 
" Break every yoke and let the oppressed go free." 
When this is done what possible chance is there, if the 
feelings of humanity are carried out, even to renew 
the system ? Who that loves his neighbor as himself, 
can compell his neighbor to serve him without reward ? 
It is said that there is no censure cast upon slavery, in 
the New Testament. I answer, there is, in the clear- 
est, strongest language possible : " Whatsoever ye 
would that we should do & unto you, do ye even the 
same unto them.' 

The prohibition of slavery in direct positive terms, 
could not be more forcible than this. American slave- 
ry is a violation, therefore, of the laws of humanity 
and of God, and ought, in the soonest, best manner 
possible, be done away. But while there are thous- 
ands who feel the solemn force of the divine mandate, 
" Break every yoke and let the oppressed go free," 
and are striving by their money, efforts and prayers, 
to accomplish the glorious object, Dr. F. is lining the 
yoke with iron that it may defy human effort to break 
it ! It seems to me that Dr. Wayland in his discussion 
with Dr. F., praised his piety too much. When we 
are laboring to recover a brother from the error of his 
ways, it is no time to puff him up with his extraordi- 
nary piety. I know of no good reason why those who 
enslave and traffic in the bodies and souls of men, 



ARIEL KENDMCK. 61 

should be caressed and cheered by the right hand of 
fellowship, any more readily than if they openly prac- 
ticed any other sin against God. Some think slavery 
must be touched very tenderly, so as not to offend its 
votaries ; but it must be so handled, that ultimately 
its heart's blood shall be poured out as a libation to the 
cause of emancipation. 

This nation is now deeply scourged by the hand of 
God, and I fear that heavier judgments will fall upon 
it ere long, on account of its violation of the pure 
principles of morality. Our government, whose public 
documents declare, in thunder tones, with the view to 
effect the world, that, " All men are created free and 
equal, and that they possess certain inalienable rights, 
such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," is 
giving irrefragible proof of a determination to render 
slavery as lasting as the sun and moon. 

As a proof of this, I call up the annexation of Tex- 
as, and the bloody, unrighteous war now raging in 
Mexico ; both are most surely the legitimate offspring 
of slave policy. But there is one source of comfort. 
God is able in his inscrutable wisdom, so to control the 
methods taken to increase and perpetuate slavery, that 
they will be the certain means of "its downfall, and of 
the introduction of a glorious Jubilee to millions, whose 
cries have gone up to heaven on account of their cruel 
bondage. To him, when we have done all he requires 
of us, we must commit the whole matter. 

MINISTERIAL CHANGES. 

If it were true of me that I had increased in wisdom 
as days have multiplied upon me, I should doubtless 
be able to tender some advice to the beloved denomi- 
nation to which I, at least nominally belong. But it 
is a painful truth, that days do not teach wisdom to 
6 



62 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

all ; indeed they do to but few. Should I say that 
my wisdom tallies with my days, my conscience would 
cry out of wrong. But still I must beg indulgence. 
The prophet Isaiah, in speaking of the church, says, 
"Asa man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry 
thee." And " Thine eyes shall see thy teacher." 
By these passages, the relation between pastor and 
church is represented by the marriage relation. But 
in years past, the union of pastor and church is so 
short that it hardly remunerates for the trouble and 
expense of the marriage. In many instances, the 
minister's term of service is so limited that he and the 
church scarcely become acquainted before a divorce 
puts a period to the relation, by which both are injured. 
By frequent removals a minister's mind and time are 
engaged, to a great extent, in things foreign to his 
office ; herein he is a great looser ; his life is short, 
his work arduous, and he has no time to throw away. 
Besides by frequent changes ministers will become like 
Pharaoh's lean kine, as it relates to his mind. If after 
preaching to one church a few years, he becomes pastor 
of another church, he will be very likely to feed his 
new charge with the same milk he delt out to his pro- 
ceeding flock. Let him pursue this course, and he 
will wear life away and die a dwarf, not having been 
studious or prayerful, that he might descend deeper 
and deeper into the great and glorious doctrines of 
grace. I think it would be a good thing for him when 
entering upon a new charge, to resign all his old notes 
to the deacon, for safe keeping until his term of service 
with them comes to a close ; or according to Professor 
Smith, burn them up. 

It is altogether best for him to come before the peo- 
ple with a sermon new to himself, he will enjoy it best; 
and will deliver it with a greater measure of energy. 
If he depends on his old sermons and neglects study, 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 63 

effort, and prayer,- in prospect of entering the desk, he 
will assuredly fall asleep — he will not interest his 
hearers and they will sleep with him. It will be like 
people, like priest. 

And he does still worse, who is always pushing upon 
the same theme, be it ever so good. This he must 
and will do unless he is an industrious, studious man. 
In order to succeed well, the pastor of a church must 
bring out of the treasury, things new, as well as old ; 
he must perceive the excellence of the truth, and re- 
alize its saving power upon his own soul. 

A church which is frequently changing its ministers 
will acquire a bad taste ; become captious, and diffi- 
cult : yea, they will become so critical and nice in. 
their taste, that the Lord himself could scarcely fix a 
man to their liking. 

If destitute churches are more intent upon obtaining 
a preacher of pleasing manners, eloquent address, and 
high literary attainments, rather than a man sound in 
doctrine, and of deep piety, greatly spiritual in his 
life and conversation, they cannot expect a blessing, 
but the reverse. 

The gospel ministry is an institution too sacred to 
be subject to airy fancy, corrupt taste, and ill humor. 
A man extremely hungry and thirsty will not be fas- 
tidiously nice respecting the vessels in which the need- 
ed blessings are presented. Neither will churches, 
while hungering and thirsting for the grace of God, 
and living by faith in his Son, be disposed to treat 
contemptuously a minister who gives evidence of piety, 
and a call to preach the word, although he may be 
wanting in some of those qualities which embellish and 
set a man off to the view of those who do not consider 
that God looketh on the heart. A church which has 
a minister whose talents come up to mediocrity and 
is studious, correct in doctrine, and pious in conversa- 



64 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

tion, ought to be contented and thankful. And a min- 
ister who speculates in his talents, setting himself up 
for the highest bidder, had infinitely better be specu- 
lating in western land, and this he will discover sooner 
or later, to his sorrow. To an apostle, the indications 
of providence were clear, in favor of his going to 
Macedonia to preach the gospel. And at this day, he 
that prayerfully looks to Grod, and wisely regards the 
leadings of his providence, respecting the theatre of 
his labors, acts the most consistent part. And when 
he is settled with a church, who love, respect, and 
treat him kindly, let him be cautious of leaving that 
dear flock, in favor of another which might perhaps 
give him a few quarts more milk or bestow upon him 
a heavier fleece. 

Let a minister move a few times in quick succession 
and he will be shorne of more than half his ministerial 
consequence. If a splendid looking horse should pass 
from hand to hand, observing men would say there was 
doubtless some hidden defect in him. It would be the 
same with a minister. Men of rare excellence are 
not likely to become wandering stars. Witness Still- 
man, Baldwin, Backus, Smith of Haverhill, Seamans, 
Leland, Farnham, and Stoughton. But I may be 
asked, what shall the minister do, who has within a 
short time, been repudiated by several churches ? He 
had better begin to suspect some defect in his charac- 
ter, or that he must continue to enlarge his pond a 
little. It is not contended that the same minister and 
church should in all cases continue together during 
life ; but that there ought to be good reasons for their 
forming a connection, and equally good reasons for 
parting assunder. 

It is acknowledged by the judicious that the frequent 
removals of pastors is a lamentable evil. And I sus- 
pect one great cause is, the want of spiriturality of 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 65 

mind in both ministers and churches. The latter look 
with the eye of an eagle after a preacher who will 
answer their worldly, popular views, and feelings ; one 
who has the knack of pleasing all the people, a kind 
of tact to which their Master was a stranger. It is to 
be feared that they do not pray for a man after the 
Saviour's own image, who would lift up his voice like 
a trumpet, leading the church away from the world 
without the camp to bear the reproach of Christ. And 
it is to be feared that ministers are too frequently 
influenced by worldly motives ; that they think too 
much of an earthly, and by far too little of an eternal 
reward. Perhaps they are desirous to settle in a 
pleasant place and where they can live at ease, in 
splendor, rather than seek the place where they are 
most needed, and can sow the seed of the word with 
the fairest prospect of an abundant harvest. 

A union of pastor and church formed upon such 
motives is not of the right character, and conflicting 
interests would be likely to result in a divorce. 

Remembering that death will soon palsy his hand 
the writer is strongly inclined to present to his breth- 
ren a few words upon another topic. 

THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE. 

This cause has already effected a measure of bless- 
edness upon which doubtless the angels look with de- 
light, and which the developments of eternity will show 
to be pleasing to him who came into this world on a 
mission of mercy. 

This holy enterprise commenced with those who had 
caught a measure of that spirit of love which drew 
the Saviour from heaven to earth with the cross in 
full view ; and by such men it must be carried for- 
ward, or fail. The men of this world whose hands are 
6* 



00 LIFE AND TIMES OE 

filled with silver and gold, being blind to heavenly 
wealth, are not disposed to invest money in the treas- 
ury of the Lord. They devote their all to secure and 
promote objects as impotent to promote happiness as 
the worship of an idol is to sanctify the heart. The 
cause of missions is a most glorious enterprise, and yet 
what a holding back by those who profess to love the 
Saviour, and expect to swim eternally in an ocean of 
love and mercy. Men of masterly minds, and hearts 
glowing with piety, often come to us with the most 
solemn appeals, and soul-stirring arguments to wake 
us up to action in this heaven-born cause. We throw 
off a small part of our deadly slumbers ; we do a little 
and but a little, and then a worldly spirit comes over 
us again ; and as Judas thought the ointment lost, that 
was poured on the Saviour's head, so we seem to think 
that is lost which is given to impart the light of heaven 
to those who sit in the region and shadow of death. 
Will not the many thousands in this land of light who 
have drank of the water of life, try to roll the stone 
from the mouth of the well, that others may drink and 
live? 

I consider the bible and the missionary cause to be 
ultimately connected. The missionary without the 
word of God would be like a physician without medi- 
cines ; and the scriptures without a living teacher 
would be like medicines without a skillful hand to ad- 
minister them. This cause, in point of utility and 
moral grandeur rises high above all causes which 
enlist the sympathies of men on earth. The soul is 
exceedingly precious beyond human comprehension ; 
and yet it bears the image of Satan with whom it is in 
damnable affinity, and therefore is in danger of being 
endlessly wretched. The gospel is the only system 
that can renovate and purify the heart ; elevate the 
soul to God and prepare a man to serve him here and 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 67 

enjoy his smiles eternally in heaven. But this, the 
gospel can do ; yea, it has done it times innumerable, 
and it has lost nothing of its saving power, for like its 
glorious author, it is the same yesterday, to-day, and 
forever. That people are pronounced blessed, who 
know its joyful sound, a joyful sound indeed, for it 
proclaims liberty to the captive, and opening the prison 
to those who are bound. Those who have been healed 
by the balm of gileacl, administered by the great phy- 
sician, I am sure cannot be indifferent to the cause of 
missions, for where the healing power of the gospel is 
realized, it always produces compassion, benevolence, 
and love ; therefore its subjects will feel an ardent de- 
sire that others may richly share in its transforming 
and saving power. Every christian ought to be the most 
anxious being, to be found in that day when God shaE 
make up his jewels, among those who have made efforts 
to make known the savor of the knowledge of Christ 
in every place. 

ADDRESS TO THE YOUNG. 

A sincere solicitude for the best interest of the 
rising generation inspires me to present to them a short 
address. 

My dear fellow mortals ; you live in an age of the 
world, and in a part of it where the human mind is 
not shackled by superstition and the dogmas of coun- 
cils, kings, and popes, in things relating to duty, to 
conscience, and to God. For such a state of things 
we ought to be truly thankful, but, nevertheless, like 
other good things, it is not without its dangers. While 
in nations vastly less favored, men are the vassals and 
slaves of kings and proud self-exalted ecclesiastics or 
religionists, and the most degrading superstition by 
them patronized and cherished,, you are exposed t©.- 



68 LIFE AND TIMES OF 

the evil of launching off into the regions of skepticism 
and infidelity. And yet there is nothing more unreas- 
onable. Would you despise the heavenly religion of 
the Redeemer because you breathe the air of freedom 
and have the privilege of selecting your own creed ; 
and of choosing your own path to heaven, in the ab- 
sence of an earthly power to dragoon you into alliance 
with any religious creed ? Because there are none to 
chastise you with scorpions to compel you to walk in 
the path to heaven, which they have laid out ; will 
you choose the road to destruction ? Far less criminal 
will he be, who from the rocking cradle has been 
shrouded in the most debasing superstition and dicta- 
tion of dark minded, cruel men ; who walks in a path 
trodden only by unhallowed feet ; than he who lives in 
a part of the world where the clearest light shines, 
showing the only way to heaven. You have presented 
to you the only true religion on earth ; you are urged 
to embrace it by arguments impressibly weighty, drawn 
from time and eternity. There are none here to mould 
and fashion a religion for your acceptance, and then 
impose it upon you by flattery or by threats. 

Be assured, my young friends, that Satan infinitely 
hates Christianity ; because in its progress and triumph 
it has greatly foiled him and made the most portentous 
inroads upon his kingdom. His hand was active in 
bringing death into the world, and by dying and rising 
from the dead, the Son of God has destroyed him that 
had the power of death, and abolished death andbro'fc 
life and immortality to light. 

Let me here say to you, that Satan, with a view to 
your ruin and the dishonor of Christ, will employ every 
art to lead you to discredit Christianity ; and thus se- 
cure your personal impiety and the loss of your souls. 
As Christianity is the only system that can renovate 
human nature, dislodge Satan from the soul of lost 



ARIEL KENBRICK. 69 

man, restore to him the divine image, unite him to the 
kingdom of light and love, and prepare him for eternal 
blessedness ; it is to be expected that he who " goeth 
about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour " 
will exert all his influence to prejudice men against 
it. Therefore, the apostolic exhortations cannot sink 
too deep into our hearts. " Resist the devil and he 
will flee from you." And, "Give no place to the 
devil." 

Be entreated, my young friends, never to entertain 
scruples respecting the divine inspiration of the Chris- 
tian system. It has outlived millions of its most subtle 
enemies, and it will live, multiply, and increase in the 
transformation of human character, and in sanctifying 
the church, and in converting the moral wilderness of 
this world into a splendid cultivated field, bringing 
forth the fruits of righteousness to the glory and praise 
of God. 

And when I plead with you not to reject Christianity 
entirely I would likewise suggest to you the danger of 
muzzling the mouth of any portion of the sacred word 
because it proclaims your sinfulness and danger. Men 
in every age have strove hard to make it appear that 
a sinful life does not prepare the way for an awful 
reckoning, when God shall bring every work into 
judgment ; in fine they are fond to believe that in a 
sinful life there is no danger. But an apostle says : 
" Be not deceived, God is not mocked ; for whatever 
a man soweth, that shall he also reap." 

This short declaration annihilates every argument 
employed to prove that a wicked life will not end dis- 
astrously. Vain effort indeed. Men and doctrines 
which would lead you to feel secure in a state of 
alienation from God, you may justly view as snares set 
for your feet. There were false prophets among the 
true prophets of the Lord, and the former said to the 



TO LIFE AND TIMES OF 

wicked that they should have peace ; and the latter 
said that it would surely go ill with them. This was 
the principle in which they differed ; and this is a 
leading feature in which ministers differ at the present 
time. The preaching of one class accords with de- 
praved human nature, and the other exhorts the wicked 
to flee from the wrath to come. 

All good ministers with earnestness enforce this 
doctrine of the Saviour, " I tell you nay ; but except 
ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Suffer me to 
remind you of the preciousness of time : its value can 
hardly be computed. The Saviour said, "I must work 
while it is day, the night cometh when no man can 
work." He had no time to loose, and the same is true 
of us all. 

And yet how many golden hours are wasted in idle- 
ness or in pursuits which dishonor God and load the 
soul with guilt. We are commanded to " redeem the 
time because the days are evil." This holy command 
is never obeyed by engaging in scenes of mirth and 
folly, to which persons in the morning of life are much 
disposed. Time is as precious to the young as to the 
aged, and its continuance to them is equally as uncer- 
tain. Upon the dying bed, how many have been stung 
to the heart by reflecting upon their misspent hours. 
They had been at the card table, at the horse race, at 
the wrestling match, in the play room, when they 
ought to have been prosecuting some useful business, 
or in pious devotion to God. You ought to remember 
that every hour of your life takes strong hold upon 
eternity, and this should be most seriously considered, 
as your precious hours and days are fast making their 
report of you in the ear of eternity. Let me say that 
you will doubtless in all futurity look upon the morning 
of life, as the most important part of your history. 
Youth seems to hold the same relation to old age and 



ARIEL KENDBICK. 71 

death, that spring does to harvest, and dreary winter, 
when the face of the earth and the waters are bound 
in icy chains. 

At this time, good or bad habits are fastened upon 
us for life ; the mind must be stored with knowledge, 
otherwise ignorance, the blast of happiness will reign 
through life. Above all, in the days of youth, the 
heart and affections should be given to Christ, the Son 
of God, and Saviour of the wretched and lost. It is 
an affecting consideration, that but very few who pass 
through youth and middle life, in an impenient state, 
ever give evidence of a gracious change in subsequent 
life. And there is no preparatory work clone in the 
grave. 

Let me entreat you, my young friends, never to 
waste your time in a ball-room, nor at theatres : for I 
can assure you that both smooth the way to utter dark- 
ness, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth. 
Here let me introduce two passages of scripture: 
" Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth." 
• ' Exhort young men to be sober minded." A comply- 
ance with these solemn requisitions would lead the 
young as far from the above amusements, as the prayer 
room, and serious thoughts concerning judgment and 
death could place them. Revelry and hilarity, and 
the agonies of a dying bed, the shroud, the coffin, and 
the grave, look upon each other with no sympathy, but 
with an awful frown. When you. are invited and 
tempted to participate in the above scenes, say with 
the pious and youthful Joseph, " How can I commit 
this great evil and sin against God ?" And like him, 
nee from temptation ; keep a clear conscience, and 
secure the favor of God ; and so with you, you will 
be useful in life, and " die the death of the righteous 
and your last end be like his." A prophet said : 
" Thas saith the Lord, consider your ways." And I 



72 LIFE AND TIMES OE 

pray you to consider, that the sinful pleasures of life 
will prove bitterness in the latter end. Therefore, like 
Moses, prefer " suffering with the people of God for a 
season, rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin," and so 
place at hazard your highest interest. 

I would earnestly advise all my youthful friends to 
read attentively, the life and death of the Saviour of 
the world, and the course of life and the sacrifices 
which he said were requisite, in order to lay up treas- 
ure in heaven, and be finally acknowledged as his in 
the presence of the holy angels. A young man once 
wished another " A short life and a merry damnation. " 
A dreadful wish, truly. But to assure a person that 
>he can live a prayerless, thoughtless, merry life, deny- 
ing Christ before men, and be certain of enjoying a 
sober heaven, would not be much less absurd. My 
dear fellow mortals, if you ever gain the heavenly 
prize, you must renounce the pleasures of sin ; you 
must bear the cross of Christ, and for him forsake 
father, mother, brother, sister and your life, and fight 
the good fight of faith ; run and strive to obtain the 
sacred boon of everlasting life. Thus I learn from 
the word of God. If you and I lack these peculiari- 
ties we shall never sit down in heaven with those who 
followed the lamb whither he went. 

Furthermore you cannot be too strongly guarded 
against being poisoned by anti-christian books. An 
apostle said, " Many false prophets have gone out into 
the world," and I presume the number of demoralizing 
books exceeds them. Satan is not confined to one 
method of promoting a sinful cause, but they are nu- 
merous ; and of those the press is not the least : thous- 
ands have been misled by its erroneous productions, 
both in politics and religion. Which numbers the 
most presses on his side, Christ or the devil, I am not 
able to tell, but I rather think the latter could claim 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 73 

the largest portion of them. Glorious are the results 
of a free press ; but yet not purely such, for by this 
means the enemy scatters broad cast, much bad seed. 
Many impure communications are couched in the most 
beautiful and fascinating language. It is like a poison 
gilded pill of deadly quality. You ought to be quite 
as cautious of bad books as of bad company, lest your 
feet should be entangled in the net of error, and so 
held eternally from walking in the testimonies of the 
Lord. 

Let me entreat you to consider the goodness of God 
in bringing within your reach a host of good books, 
suited to your age and capacities, all tending to lead 
you into the path which the Saviour trod, which most 
surely leads to heaven. The friends of Christ take a 
deep interest in your salvation ; they ardently desire 
that you may be found among his lambs in the clay 
when he will make up his jewels. And they are sen- 
sible that in order to walk in the path of life, you 
will have to contend not only with a wicked, deceitful 
heart, but also with bad example, bad preaching bad 
reading, and with apostate spirits. 

They realize that there is a flood of influence, 
smoothing before you the path that leads to a hapless 
state ; therefore, they utter from the press and other- 
wise, the voice of alarm to those whom they consider 
in imminent clanger. Persons in the morning of life 
are much inclined to levity and sinful pleasure ; and 
this inclination, with many, ends not with their youth; 
but they are light hearted and merry when their sun 
has passed its meridian. There can be no good reason 
assigned why the aged ought to be consistent, sober, 
and prayerful, which does not apply with equal force 
to the young. They are fallen creatures ; exposed to 
the ills of life ; the pains of life, and to the loss of the 
soul forever. The calls to early piety are numerous 
7 



74 LIFE AffD TIMES OF" 

and weighty. The word of God requires it ; the 
providences of God urge it ; the dangers attending a 
wicked life press upon the duty ; the danger lies in an 
increase of impiety and hardness of heart ; and of 
being called suddenly to give an account of the deeds 
done in the body. We read : " And I say unto you 
all watch ; for in such an hour as ye think not, the 
son of man cometh." And moreover those who give 
their hearts to the Lord in the early part of their ex- 
istence, prepare the way for a peaceful old age, if the 
providence of God allows them to number many days. 
They will enjoy the cheering reflection, that they 
have not given their youth and maturer days to the 
service of sin and Satan, in which case they would be 
harrassed with the thought that God will not accept 
of the dregs of life, because in brighter days he said, 
" Depart from me, I desire not the knowledge of thy 
ways." And besides, what to an aged person can be 
more cheering than the reflection that he has set a 
pious example before his fellow men, from the cradle to 
the coflin ; that in the protracted path of life he has 
sown good seed, the fruit of which will not give him 
anguish, but joy in the hour of death and judgment. 

TO THE AGED. 

Before I lay down my pen, I would say a few things 
to the aged. Dear brethren and sisters ; our length- 
ened shadows indicate the near approach of death, 
when no man can work. Let us remember that during 
our protracted lives we have, as moral agents account- 
able to God been forming a character for an eternal 
state of existence ; yea, every day and hour, we have, 
under the eye of God, been the subjects of exercises 
and volitions, pious or impious, and which should to 
us be a matter of most serious consideration. We have 



ARIEL KENDRICK. 75 

from the cradle, lived under a dispensation of mercy ; 
the lines have fallen to us in a pleasant place ; we have 
been blest with pious monitors and teachers, who have 
deeply interested themselves in our present and eter- 
nal happiness. 

We have been lectured upon themes infinitely im- 
portant, not only by Moses and the prophets, but by 
Christ and the apostles ; and it is truly affecting to 
think of the number of Sabbaths which we have en- 
joyed. Seventy years would give lis three thousand 
six hundred and forty of those precious days given for 
scriptural improvement, and to help us on to that 
eternal Sabbath which remains for the people of God. 
It is now certain that our years and Sabbaths and 
gospel privileges are principally behind us ; as our 
remaining time must be short indeed. And therefore, 
we ought most seriously to inquire how the case stands 
with us ; whether we have given our hearts to Christ, 
the only Saviour, and rest wholly upon his merits to 
justify us before God, and save us from the wrath to 
come. How unwise we are if we have lived three 
score and ten years, to forget that we were born to 
die. It was our solemn duty to have sought first the 
kingdom of God and his righteousness ; and if we 
have neglected the great salvation to this late hour, 
how affecting is our situation ! It is more than proba- 
ble that the character which we now possess, will ad- 
here to us like the leprosy of Gehazi, until our sun 
sits to rise no more. 

But yet blessed be God, there are a few scriptures 
which may, if rightly received, save an aged sinner 
from despair. " With him that is joined to all the liv- 
ing there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead 
lion," And we read that those who entered the " vin- 
yard at the eleventh hour received every man a penny." 
We read also, " He that cometh unto me, I will in no 



76 LIFE AND TIMES OV 

■wise cast out." These are precious words to the aged, 
who ought to be deeply affected with their precarious 
standing, and strive to enter at the strait gate. An 
aged sinner, on his sick and dying bed, once said that 
" He was very wretched in view of seventy years 
misspent, and millions in anticipation, not to be en- 
dured." For a moral agent to close a protracted 
life, an enemy to God, is overwhelming indeed ; and 
should lead to the earnest cry, u Lord save or I per- 
ish." A man who has lived an idle, dissipated life 
until he is bending over the grave, blasted with pov- 
erty, could not by any possibility, repair to himself and 
family, the waste and wretchedness of gone by years. 
But the aged sinner who returns to God and embraces 
the Saviour is sure of the pardon of all his sins, and 
a gracious acceptance of his heavenly Father. It is 
neither the number nor the magnitude of our sins 
which will shut us out of heaven ; but an utter refusal 
of the great salvation. If, with our grey hairs we 
return to God, we shall most certainly be reckoned 
among those " who having much forgiven shall love 
much," and admire the grace which pardons the sins 
of a protracted life. Nothing is more precious than 
probationary time, even to the young ; but its value is 
greatly enhanced to those who have taken their leave 
of seventy years, and must of course soon enter upon 
that night in which no man can work. Beyond this 
world there is no probation ; " there is no devise nor 
work in the grave whither they are hastening," 



A FUNERAL SERMON, 

DELIVERED AT THE FUNERAL OF CAPT. SAMUEL 
,C0MINGS, OF CORNISH, N. H., JAN. 8, 1826. 



Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.- — Ps. 
116: 15. 

Death is an event certain to all, and dreaded by 
most. The unwelcome thought steals into the mincls 
of the sons and daughters of pleasure, and suggests 
the idea that their breath and their pleasures must 
soon pass away ; and for a moment their laughter is 
turned into mourning, and their joy into heaviness, and 
with a heaving sigh, they wish that their lives and 
their pleasures had the stamp of immorality : and 
even the truly pious are not all calm, when they look 
forward to the hour which shall dissolve their earthly 
tabernacle, change their mode of existence, and intro- 
duce them into the world of spirits. But the provi. 
dence of God overrules all opposition, and confirms* 
the solemn declaration, " It is appointed unto all men 
once to die, and after death the judgment." 

Death levels all distinctions of a worldly nature, 
disannuls human purposes, and puts an everlasting 
period to all the dreams of life, and introduces man 
into that world where uncertainty dies, and changes 



78 FUNERAL SERMON OF 

are unknown. But however much death is dreaded 
by the people of God, it is nevertheless preciousin his 
sight ; and whatever is precious in his sight, must be 
desirable indeed. 

In discoursing upon these words, I shall first delin- 
eate the character of a saint, and secondly show on 
what account his death is precious in the sight of the 
Lord. 

1. A saint is a person whose faith and life agree 
with the oracles of God ; which oracles are adapted to 
mir rational nature, and our fallen state. In his pri- 
meval state, a revelation declaratory of infinite mercy 
would have been unnecessary, and of course prema- 
ture. In his state of innocence, man looked to the 
law as his husband and defence ; and possessing holi- 
ness, in nature and measure agreeing with the law, he 
had peace within and peace without ; with a heart of 
sinless holiness, he was in friendship with all holy be- 
ings in the universe, and of course, enjoyed the favor 
and smiles of all. 

None can tell the exact time in which man continued 
in a state of holiness, but all agree that it was very 
limited. 

There are some things respecting the fall of man 
which are wrapped in mystery, and so must remain, I 
presume, until the chronicles of heaven shall develope 
what hitherto has not been revealed. But we are in- 
structed to believe that man fell from his original holy 
and happy state, by transgressing a positive command 
of God, in relation to the tree of knowledge of good 
and evil ; and we are moreover taught that it was the 
pleasure of God to constitute such a connexion between 
Adam and his posterity, as to render it certain that 
his departure from God would surely carry all his 
posterity into a state of death ; i. e. they would pos- 
sess the character, and find themselves in the condition 



CAKT. SAMUEL COMINGS. 79 

of their sin-ruined father. It appears from the sacred 
word, that God had thoughts of mercy concerning our 
fallen race, and to make this known, is one grand de- 
sign of the Bible — that marvelous book, in which wo 
are taught that by nature we are all children of diso- 
bedience and of wrath, and that by the deeds of the 
law no flesh can be justified in the sight of God ; and 
moreover, cursed is every one who continueth not in 
all things written in the book of the law, to do them." 

The gospel glories in an atonement by the great high 
priest of the Christian profession. Yea, we read that 
" God so loved the world as to give his only begotten 
Son, that whosoever believeth on him might not per- 
ish, but have everlasting life." The most prominent 
rituals of the Old Testament and the prophets pointed 
to the Saviour of men, and the holy evangelists, gui- 
ded by the Holy Ghost, insist that God has " fulfilled 
the mercy promised," " in that he has raised up unto 
his people an horn of salvation in the house of his 
servant David." Those holy men, having in a clear 
and convincing manner set forth the advent of Christ, 
his sinless life, his miracles, his doctrines, together with 
his painful death, and glorious resurrection, command 
all to repent and believe in him with all the heart. 
Whoever now complies with these divine requirements, 
and so sets to his seal that God is true, doubtless pos- 
sesses the character of a saint, or Christian, and is 
entitled to the blessings of the new and " everlasting 
covenant." 

2. Where this faith is enjoyed, correspondent fruit 
will not be wanting. "Make the tree good, and the 
fruit will be good also," This is a divine maxim, let 
it support or depress whom it may. 

The apostle James challenges the faith of all whoso 
fruit does not correspond with the gospel ; " show mo 
thy faith," said- he, '• without thy works, and I will 



80 FUNERAL SERMON OF 

show thee my faith by my works." The legitimate 
offspring of true faith is practical piety, which implies* 
the holy worship of God in secret, private, and public, 
and includes reading the sacred scriptures, meditation, 
prayer, and praise, and a delightful attendance upon 
the ordinances of the gospel, and ail the means of 
grace and knowledge, with which we are blessed by 
the kind author of our existence and salvation. The 
pious Psalmist said, " how amiable are thy tabernacles 
Lord of hosts." " In thy temple shall every one 
speak of thy glory." " Bless ye the Lord, and wor- 
ship at his footstool." 

I now pass to show wherein the death of a saint is 
precious in the sight of the Lord. 

1. The Lord takes an interest in all that is impor- 
tant and interesting to his people ; and surely death- 
will be considered as a vastly weighty event in the 
everlasting history of their existence. The dissolution 
of the body is a clear fulfilment of the divine threat- 
ening — " Dust thou art," from the dust thou wast ta- 
ken, " and unto dust shalt thou return ;" and consid- 
ered in this light, it is in the sight of the Lord a 
desirable occurrence. God realizes a holy pleasure 
in the fulfillment of his most dreadful denunciations. 

2. In the dissolution of the body, God manifests his 
holy indignation against sin. Death was introduced 
into the world by sin, and in the pains of death God 
manifests his holy displeasure against it, and in none 
more clearly than those whom the text includes ; ex- 
cepting, however, his beloved Son, in whose agonies 
there was the highest possible display of his infinite 
disapprobation of all iniquity. Every painful event in 
the universe is in consequence of moral depravity ; and 
therein we discover its malignant nature, and the holi- 
ness of the " Lawgiver, who is able to save and des : . 
troy." The fact that death to a saint is his passport 



CAPT. SAMUEL COMINGS. 81 

to endless joy, cannot be urged against the above 
reasoning ; for God said to his people of old, " You 
only have I known of all the families of the earth y 
therefore will I punish you for all your iniquities ;" 
and moreover, " As many as I love I rebuke and 
chasten." In rebuking and chastening his people, the 
Holy One of Israel declares his abhorrence of all mor- 
al impurity ; and yet all things, yea, even death itself, 
will produce a most happy result to the saints. Ac- 
cording to the above reasoning, we discover that the 
death of a saint is precious in the sight of the Lord, 

3. In the hour of death the people of God, at least, 
many of them, display a measure of firmness and 
composure of mind, which strikingly manifests the 
truth and power of the gospel. A multitude have 
virtually opened their bosoms to the shafts of the 
King of terrors, and they have even smiled in the 
cold embrace of death. In this trying scene, none 
renounce the gospel ; but, on the contrary, many, yea, 
all the pious cleave to it as a palladium and anchor of 
hope. The system of revealed truth is surely from 
God, An apostle calls it " the glorious gospel of the 
blessed God ; " therefore every event which is calcula- 
ted to display its blessedness, efficacy and saving pow- 
er, must be pleasing in the sight of God. To see 
persons, who in other things are timorous, standing 
upcn the shore of Jordan, seeing the waves roll high, 
with undaunted spirit, willing to bid adieu to friends, 
and life, and time, and descend into the dark and si- 
lent tomb, in hope of a glorious immortality : it proves 
the gospel to be the power of God unto salvation, to 
every one who believeth. In view of such a scene, an 
infidel might with propriety say, " let me die the death 
of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." 

4. Death is an event, well calculated to give the 
saint increasing conviction and experience of the 



82 FUNERAL SERMON OF 

preciousness of the blessed Redeemer. An apostle 
said, "unto you who believe, he is precious : " and he 
is indeed so to the Christian, when he is first brought 
out of darkness into marvelous light. And as he pro- 
gresses in sanctification, his views of Christ will be 
more clear and consistent, and his love will be more 
ardent and constant ; and especially in" the hour of 
dissolution, when the saint, with his eyes open, will 
look backward and forward, downward and upward — 
i. e. upon his native depravity, his many sins, and the 
strict scrutiny which awaits him at the seat of judg- 
ment, — the grave, as the receptacle of his languish- 
ing body, and eternity his everlasting home ; with 
these things bearing on the mind, with a certain expec- 
tation of passing to the world of spirits in a few mo- 
ments, to hear his final sentence at the mouth of his 
omnicient Judge ; — thus conditioned, a mortal, yea, a 
pious mortal will realize his crying need of the gra- 
cious offices of the almighty and gracious Redeemer. 
And we have abundant evidence in the sacred word, 
that the eternal Father supremely delights in the Son 
of his love, and therefore requires us all to honor the 
Son as we do the Father ; and as the dying Christian 
realizes more than ever his need of Christ, and has 
more enlarged views of his fullness and sufficiency, it 
seems that his death, in the above view of it, is truly 
precious in the sight of the Lord. 

5. We are taught in the scriptures, that the Lord 
loves his people with an everlasting love, and of course, 
that nothing can separate them from it : and it is 
abundantly evident that love inclines the professor of 
it to seek the happiness of those who are the objects of 
it, and every holy being delights in giving proofs of 
love by the performance of those acts which are its 
legitimate offspring, and in which those who are favored 
will see and realize the good will of the donor. And 



CAPT. SAMUEL COMINGS. 83 

surely the death of the saints affords our heavenly 
Father an opportunity to manifest his love and tender- 
ness to them, in giving them support in that most 
trying hour, while passing through the vale of death, 
where to reach them every finite arm would be infi- 
nitely too weak and short. The Psalmist said, " tho' 
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 
will fear no evil, for thou art with me ; thy rod and 
thy staff, they comfort me*" Therefore the death of 
a saint is precious in the sight of the Lord. 
A pious poet thus writes, — 

" O, glorious hour ! O, blest abode ! 
I shall be near and like my God ; 
I shall behold his blissful face, 
And stand complete in righteousness." 

And another saith, — 

" Death is our subteranean road to bliss. 
We dive in death to rise in fairer suns. 
When shall 1 die? when shall I live forever." 

I add the words of another. 

" Ye wheels of nature, speed your course, 

Ye mortal powers decay ; 
Fast as ye bring the night of death, 

Ye bring eternal day." 

6. Their death will be precious in the sight of the 
Lord, inasmuch as it will terminate their sufferings 
and their sorrows, and introduce them to scenes of in- 
effable joy in the immediate presence of the Lord, 
according to the sacred prayer of Christ — " Father, 
I will that those whom thou hast given me may be 
with me, where I am, that they may behold my glory." 
The Revelator said, " I heard a voice from heaven, 
saying unto me, Write, blessed are the dead who die 
in the Lord, from henceforth saith the Spirit ; for they 
shall rest from their labors, and their works do follow 



84 FUNERAL SERMON OF 

them." God has promised to his people a vast inher- 
itance, but the principal part of it lies beyond the 
grave ; and in order to possess the purchased and 
promised possession, they must break every mortal tie, 
quit this vale of sense, and so gain the perfection of 
their spiritual nature and take possession of infinite 
felicity in the immediate presence of God and the 
Lamb. I say, God has promised to his saints, endless 
happiness in heaven. Hence the great change of 
death, which is their passport to the promised bliss, 
must be precious in the sight of the Lord. 

7. The resurrection of the body, the last great and 
glorious act which Christ as Mediator will perform in 
favor of his saints before he resigns the Mediatorial 
kingdom, depends on their dissolution. We are wholly 
dependant upon divine revelation for information and 
evidence respecting the resurrection of the dead; but 
aided by this divine light, we realize both its certainty 
and its glory. We deem it correct to say that the 
resurrection will be one of the most grand and sublime 
events recorded in the history of divine operations ; 
and it is an event in which the saints take a lively in- 
terest. 

The resurrection of Christ was a divine seal, set to 
the truth of his doctrine and the glory of his charac- 
ter ; and moreover, it is a sure pledge of the resur- 
rection of his chosen people. An apostle tells us that 
the bodies of the saints are sown in corruption, in 
weakness, and in dishonor ; and that they will be 
raised in honor, in incorruption, and in glory ; and the 
power of God in calling up the millions of his people, 
some of whom will have been under the power of death 
during the lapse of ages, and in clothing them in all 
the beauty of original organization and life, will be 
most surprising and astonishing : and this great trans- 
action will finish the Mediatorial work, office and king- 



CAPT. SAMUEL COMINGS. 85 

dom of Christ, and the affairs of the universe will be 
settled for eternity. If the resurrection will be a glo- 
rious event, then we see why the death of the saints 
is precious in the sight of the Lord. 

IMPROVEMENT. 

1. From the subject, we learn that death, an appall- 
ing and dreadful event considered in itself, is, through 
the abundant mercy and goodness of God, rendered 
subservient to the happiness of his children and his 
own declarative glory. 

2. The people of God ought not to repine nor 'mur- 
mur at the thought of dying, but possess a cheerful 
resignation to the divine will, and bless God that " life 
and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel," 
and that through grace the death of the pious is pre- 
cious in the sight of the Lord, and will be, and will 
appear so to them, when it shall be swallowed up in 
victory. 

3. If the death of a saint be precious in the sight 
of the Lord, the death of a wicked and ungodly man 
must and will be as different as his character is. " The 
wicked is driven away in his wickedness ; but the 
righteous hath hope in his death." Eor a saint " to 
live, is Christ, and to die, is gain." 

4. In the light of our subject, we perceive the vast 
importance of gospel piety, composed of holy love, 
repentence towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Such, and only such, have the promise that 
all things shall work together for their good, and that 
their great change will be precious in the sight of the 
Lord, and truly and eternally so to them. 

May God in his infinite mercy lead us all to sincere 
repentance, and enable us to live the life of the righ- 
teous, that our death and eternal state may be like his. 
8 



86 FUNERAL SERMON OF 

ADDRESSES. 

My aged Friend and Sister: — The relationship of 
yourself and our aged father, which is now dissolved, 
was the first in nature and kind which ever existed 
upon earth ; i. e. the relation of husband and wife, 
God created man male and female, and by his own 
sacred hand he united the first pair of our race. From 
this relationship and union have arisen those of every 
grade of an earthly nature. Whatever of love and 
friendship subsists between other relations, is more 
than realized by those in the relation which God has 
this day dissolved. Twice, Madam, you have consent- 
ed to the marriage vow, and twice has heaven released 
you fronTthe obligation, by giving your dear compan- 
ions into the hand of death. This second stroke has 
fallen upon you when far advanced in days, and under 
a weight of years, your strength much wasted, and 
your capacity to endure very limited. Thus condi- 
tioned, your sorrow of heart must be weighty indeed. 
But remember, beloved sister, that he who afflicts you 
is infinitely able to support and carry you in the hand 
of his mercy through the severest storm, and cause all 
things to work for your everlasting good. Trust in 
the Saviour, and he will be your God and Judge in 
his holy habitation. A prophet said, " when my soul 
fainted' within me, I remembered the Lord and my 
prayer came even into his holy temple. 5 ' May it be 
thus with you : remember the power, goodness and 
mercy of God, and you will not greatly faint. May 
this solemn stroke in the eve of life be a mean of pre- 
paring you abundantly for your great change, which 
your age predicts to be just at hand. 

May the Lord bless you, and render the evening 
of your life pleasant, and may your sun set in peace 
and your latter end be glorious. 



CAPT. SAMUEL COMINGS. 87 

Dear Children : — You this day mourn the loss of 
your only earthly parent, and your loss is indeed very 
considerable ; but far less than it would have been 
thirty years ago, when he was in active life and you 
dependant upon him for support and instruction. He 
had done all for you which he could : he watched over 
your infant days, he instructed you in the time of 
youth, and has doubtless prayed x>ften and fervently 
for your salvation. He has lived to see you settled in 
the world, and has viewed with delight your rising 
offspring. But his parental labors aud duties are fin- 
ished forever — death has shut up the scene — his ears, 
which were once attentive to your calls, are deaf to 
the loudest thunder — and his eyes which have looked 
upon you and your children with emotions of delight 
are now closed forever — and his heart which once beat 
high with friendly care, has sunk to rest ; and may 
you all piously submit to this holy bereavement, and 
say the will of the Lord be done ; and may you be 
thankful that during so many years you enjoyed so 
valuable a parent. And now he has gone to the other 
world, I entreat you to live in peace with each other, 
and may you be emulous imitators of his virtues ; and 
thus glorify God in life, that so your death may be 
precious in his sight, and you truly happy forever. 

I now turn to the only surviving brother and sister- 
in-law. Death, the great destroyer, has been making 
inroads upon your relatives until their number is very 
small. You, sir, I think, are the only survivor of a 
numerous family ; therefore, to; you this stroke must 
must be indeed very painful, and much so to your 
companion, and also to her who is the aged widow of 
an elder brother, who has long since been in the grave. 
May God in much mercy smile upon you all in this 
sore bereavement, and | give you to realize that the 
chastisements of heaven are in infinite] rectitude, and 



88 FUNERAL SERMON OF 

that the Judge of all the earth does right. While 
thus dear relatives, one after another are called from 
your tender embraces to the world of spirits, may it 
serve to wean you more abundantly from creatures, 
and attach you to the adorable Creator, through the 
only Saviour of lost men. 

The church of which our deceased father was a 
member, has abundant cause of sorrow on this occa- 
sion ; not that his life was unchristian, and his charac- 
ter stained with iniquity, and that darkness covers his 
name and his latter end ; nay, they have cause to 
mourn departed worth ; for he eminently adorned his 
profession by an exhibition of those graces, which 
we trust are now matured unto glory. His hope of 
salvation rested on the Lord Jesus, and believing that 
the members should resemble their Head in point of 
moral excellence, he seemed to be a constant follower 
of his divine Master. With how little piety he might 
just pass through the gate of life was not his inquiry, 
but he had respect unto all God's commands in the 
keeping of which there is great reward. He was 
truly a man of prayer, and he delighted in all the 
duties of the sanctuary, and here his seat was never 
vacant, unless God forbid his filling it. When his 
brethren erred, he was always grieved, but he never 
grieved his brethren. In one good trait of character 
I never saw him outdone ; that is, the government of 
the tongue. Believing that those who preach the gos- 
pel ought to live of the gospel, he was cheerful and 
liberal in their support. In the missionary cause he 
took a lively interest : believing that there was water 
in the well of life, he was willing to assist in rolling 
the stone from its mouth, that others might drink and 
live forever. But death has put a period to the life 
and usefulness of our venerable father. He has pro- 
nounced his valedictory and retired ; and we confidently 



CAPT. SAMUEL COMINGS. 89 

hope that he was called from the imperfect family of 
Christ below, to fill a glorious seat among the perfected 
family above. 

May we humbly thank Christ for his hopeful piety 
and his usefulness, and be resigned to his death, and 
with all Christians might prepare to follow him — Amen, 



APPENDIX 



As the writer during the years of his minority lived 
in the neighborhood of Dartmouth College, and also 
spent several seasons in the academy connected with 
it ; I am disposed to enrich my book with a notice 
of that ancient institution. At the time of my resi- 
ding at the College, John Whelock was president, 
John Smith professor of languages, and Beza Wood- 
ward professor of mathematics and philosophy. 

The college edifice was red, and perhaps would cost 
now five hundred dollars. The hall in which the peo- 
ple met on the Sabbath for worship, and the students 
on declamation days, would cost now perhaps two 
hundred and fifty dollars. It was not honored with 
paint. The oratory, or stage, was made of basswood 
slabs hewn with an ax. The first student who died 
while a member of college, was George Cook of Pom- 
fret, Conn. He died on Sabbath morning, and the 
corpse lay frozen until the next Sabbath ; to enable 
his distant relatives to follow him to the grave. 

Simons was the second that died in college. He 
was greatly offended on account of the part allotted 
him at the commencement, and went to the President 
to take a discharge from the college, but he declined 



APPENDIX. 91 

a compliance with his request, and said that a little 
time and consideration would draw him from such a 
rash purpose. This was but a short time previous to 
commencement ; and whether he became reconciled or 
not, I do not certainly know ; but, however, on com- 
mencement day he lay a corpse. The death of 
Simons much affected me and also his brother stu- 
dents. The evening after his interment they held a 
very solemn meeting, and I was glad to attend with 
them. I suspect that this solemn providence of God 
was blest to the conversion of a number of souls. 

The students at that early day were many of them 
very unruly, lawless, and without the fear of God* 
On a certain night they met according to agreement, 
and prostrated the homely unsightly hall of which I 
have spoken ; and they all soon presented to their 
brethren their names written round a circle which they 
had formed. This was to show that in the lawless act 
there was neither first nor last, but all alike in the 
transaction. I believe they paid all the building was 
worth. 

The number of students at the college at this time 
is much larger than it was as that early day ; and if 
they are proportionably headstrong and ungovernable 
I should think the faculty need the wisdom of Solo- 
man, the nerves of Achilles, the patience of Job, and 
the meekness of Moses, to manage them. 

Well, we read — If any man lack wisdom let him 
ask it of God; and the instructors of the college, I 
doubt not, feel the need of the grace promised, and 
humbly implore it. 

Since my residence at the college, the mode of ed- 
ucation has undergone a most pleasing change. At 
that time the stage exhibited scenes wounding to 
Christian piety, and to which modesty was indignant. 
In a quarrel on the stage one would stab the other and 



92 APPENDIX. 

he would fall as dead, wallowing in blood issuing from 
a concealed bladder, "which was wittingly punctured 
by the point of the sword. A student would take the 
stage assuming to be a preacher, and with a pious tone 
he would barbacue scripture, with a view to shower 
contempt upon unlearned ministers. One of those 
young preachers in executing his purpose, said that 
Nebuchadnezzar's fundament was het seven times hot- 
ter than ever it was before. On declamation day a 
student took the stage, dressed in a black gown, a band, 
and a large grey wig, and a book under his arm. He 
preached a sermon from the following words : " Give 
me children, or else I die." Such conduct was doubt- 
less very reprehensible. But we have reason to fear 
that many have taken the sacred disk, with the title 
of Elder, A. M., Rev., D. D., or Lord Arch Bishop, 
who were as much despised by a heart-searching God, 
as were those rude young men of whom I have spo- 
ken. For some years past I believe that at Dark 
mouth College there is nothing allowed upon the stage 
that would grave the pious, or crimson the cheek 
of modesty. The instructors at that much respected 
institution are amiable and. pious men ; and those 
youths who are favored with their wise instruction and 
their pious example, and yet in contempt of both, re- 
ject the Saviour and live in a wicked life, will surely 
contract no ordinary measure of guilt. The faculty 
of this ancient institution have greatly endeared them- 
selves to all those in this quarter of the country who 
practically regard the sacred declaration, " God hath 
made of one blood all nations of men, who dwell on 
the face of the earth." God is no respecter of per- 
sons ; but in every nation he that feareth him and 
worketh righteousness is accepted of him. I would 
here inform the reader that when I was first married 
I lived in Fairlee, Vt., near the northern line of Thet- 



APPENDIX. 93 

ford. It was distant from any place of worship, and 
the people were were very immoral and irreligious, 
almost to a man. The Sabbath was totally disregarded. 
Hunting, fishing, and visiting were as common as the 
return of day ; and there was none to raise his voice 
against such wide spread iniquity. At length a man 
by the name of Lawrence came into the place, who, 
with his wife was very pious. Like Zaehariah and 
Elizabeth, they walked in all the commandments and 
ordinances of the Lord, blameless. They were Bap- 
tists. She was sister to Holden, the great musician 
in Charlestown, Mass. Lawrence was grieved at the 
state of things, and his spirit was stirred within him. 
Therefore he took pains to bring in elders to preach 
Christ unto the people. Hibbard, of whom I have 
spoken, was the principal laborer, and the most suc- 
cessful. Soon the face of things was changed. The 
cry, " What must I do to be saved," was heard, and 
numbers professed faith in Christ. But the opposition 
was appalling and dreadful. The Philistines, I pre- 
sume, were not more offended at Sampson for burning 
their standing corn than were the people of the place 
with Lawrence, the deacon, for introducing a work 
among them which was hostile to their carnal repose. 
They viewed him as the troubler of the people, not of 
Israel certainly. I heard an aged man say that he 
wished the deacon was in hell, and his tannery also. 

Baptizing commenced. Of those who assembled to 
witness the novel scene, some were serious and anx- 
ious, others were light and vain. There was net want* 
ing angry despisers. But the humble said this is 
truly apostolic. Glory to God. The people met to 
worship God, not only on the Sabbath, but also on 
other days. This was thought highly reprehensible. 
The language of Pharoah was restored. Ye are 
idle, ye are idle. While opposers cursed Lawrence 



94 APPENDIX. 

prayed. And with his bow and crown the captain of 
salvation rode on conquering his enemies, while the 
hearts of his saints were made glad. Great opposi- 
tion was made to immersion, which was not unfrequent 
at that time. A young convert sent to a minister to 
come and lead her into the water on profession of 
faith. Her husband was stung to the heart, and said 
if she caught cold and was sick she should pay her 
doctor for he would not. But she stood as firm as a 
rock, adhering to her purpose, trusting in the Saviour 
to carry her through. 

After the lecture on the occasion, I saw him lead 
her to the water, and back to the house with his 
eyes suffused with tears. The aged man who would 
sink Lawrence to perdition, was stricken with an arrow 
from the quiver of the Almighty. 

He cried, I am lost, In the night watches he 
said must I be a companion of devils eternally. 

He called on Lawrence often, and earnestly reques- 
ted him to engage in prayer for him. There was no 
man in whom he had an equal measure of confidence. 
There was ground for hope that this aged blasphemer 
shared of the renovating influences of heavenly grace. 
When the converts were giving a reason of their hope 
preparatory to baptism, one would say that he happen- 
ed to come up to the deacon's door when he was en- 
gaged in prayer, and that it took serious hold upon 
him. Another that he was struck by hearing him 
pray in public on the Sabbath. And another that he 
was awakened by his public exhortations. The dea- 
con, upon hearing such notices of his performances 
would let off a shower of tears, and say from his heart 
let God have the praise, for the work is surely his. 
This eminent servant of God did not possess talents 
above mediocrity ; but his heart was deeply imbued 
with the spirit of his divine Master. His prayers 



APPE1TDIX. 95 

seemed like holy wrestling with God, and therefore 
availed much. He was strictly calvimstic in his doc- 
trinal views. His beloved wife was equally pious, and 
and a true yoke follow until the day of her death. 
By the influence of this good man a church was con- 
stituted in the place, as a permanent light to the com- 
munity- The church has from its infancy been blest 
with a pious ministry generally and the morals of so- 
ciety greatly improved. 

In this church the deacon found a peaceful home, 
until he was called to join the church triumphant. I 
will here introduce a rather pleasing affair, which 
occurred at an evening lecture, got up by the deacon. 
The preacher's name was Stone ; a bright, shrewd 
man, a total stranger in the place. There was, at the 
lecture, an aged man, a most bitter enemy to the Bap- 
tists ; not because he was a Congregationalist, but for 
the want of piety. I had a great desire to draw this 
man and the preacher into an argument upon baptism, 
and open communion. I commenced the discourse in 
hope that the aged opposer would soon be glad to en- 
gage in the controversy. I was at this time a Peado- 
baptist; though not a little shaken in my views of 
baptism. I insinuated that it mattered little, or noth- 
ing, whether the rite was performed by sprinkling or 
immersion ; provided sincerity was not wanting. 

Mr. Stone, to refute me proposed the following case : 
A man about to leave home, for clays, says to his son 
I wish you to draw my likeness in my absence, and I 
want it done correctly. The young man prepares 
himself for the work ; a swine passes the door, and he 
says to himself it will be much easier to draw the like- 
ness of said animal, than my father ; a picture is but 
a picture ; so I will draw a perfect likeness of a swine. 
He does it. His father returns and calls on on his 
son to present his likeness. He presents his labored 



96 APPENDIX. 

picture. The father says this is not my likeness. 
You have violated my order. The son makes a slimsy 
defence, but does not satisfy his insulted parent. 

Here the preacher said in application that God had 
required us to draw his likeness, and that it must be 
done to order, and that he would accept of nothing as 
a substitute. Whether this figure was well chosen or 
not, I will leave others to decide ; but however, it was 
severely felt and no tongue moved in opposition. 




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